Private medical facilities could be soon allowed to open in a designated strip in the Central Governorate.

The Central Municipal Council has approved an urgent proposal by Central Municipality director-general Dr Mohammed Hassan to allow private medical businesses to open on Al Estiqlal Highway, Buhair.

The facilities, which will range from specialised hospitals to clinics, will start from near the Al Estiqlal Walkway and extend to the petrol station.

"It is planning for the future as we work to get a designated area for private medical services, which we believe Buhair could be the best for," said Dr Hassan.

"Currently, regular businesses are allowed to open on Al Estiqlal Highway, but we see a potential place for the private sector to open hospitals and clinics in.

"We have to take into consideration that no government or municipal land is available in Buhair for us to do any project there and this is why we are allocating the place for future ideas businessmen may have."

He said that the municipality had not yet received applications, but the idea would attract attention whenever municipal regulations are amended.

"The municipality shouldn't wait for the public to take action - it should always take the initiative to bring innovative ideas to develop the community," said Dr Hassan.

Council services and public utilities committee chairman and area councillor Ahmed Al Ansari said that the idea was too good to be ignored.

"Buhair will be the first area in the governorate that will be designated for medical services, although based on Dr Hassan's explanation it will be allowed to have other businesses and services," he said.

"From what I see, I believe that the place will now get more attention from businessmen wishing to open private hospitals and clinics rather than regular projects. I am confident that within the upcoming 19 years it will be turned into Bahrain's top private medical destination," Al Ansari concluded. – TradeArabia News Service