Bahrain is set to become a regional hub for cancer treatment and research with the establishment of a multi-million-dinar facility, which will feature 110 beds and the latest medical equipment, said a top official.

The state-of-the-art National Cancer Treatment Centre will become the first such facility in the country and will soon be set up at the King Hamad University Hospital (KHUH) in Busaiteen, added hospital commander Major General Dr Shaikh Salman bin Ateyatalla Al Khalifa.

"The specialist centre will not only be the first such facility in Bahrain, it will also serve the needs of the region," said Shaikh Salman.

"It will be a modern facility that will meet patients' needs for cancer treatment until 2030."

It is being set up in co-operation with the Health Ministry and will serve as the national facility for the detection and treatment of cancerous tumours in Bahrain, said Dr Shaikh Salman.

Bahraini company Mazen Omran Engineering Consultants (MACE) has been selected as project contractor with Australian firm HASSELL World as consultants.

Dr Shaikh Salman said a joint committee comprising hospital and ministry officials had been formed to oversee work on the centre and will also travel to other international cancer facilities in France, Germany and Turkey to conduct studies and gather information.

"This centre, when ready, will have 110 beds and the latest medical equipment which can detect and treat cancer," he said.

"It will also serve as a centre for scientific research. The committee, along with the Institut Gustave-Roussy in France, one of the most prestigious centres specialising in the field, will also draft a convention to promote exchange of relevant experiences between them."

Dr Shaikh Salman said the main goal of the centre will be to provide therapy for patients with tumors.

"We will strive to equip the centre with the latest therapeutic techniques adopted worldwide," he added.

Meanwhile, Health Minister Sadiq Shehabi said the centre will be an important addition to Bahrain's medical expertise.

"Thanks to the wisdom of Bahrain's political leadership, this centre will soon be a reality," he said in a statement.

Ministry Undersecretary Dr Aysha Mubarak said the project will signal the beginning of a joint co-operation with the KHUH.

"This co-operation will also enhance the level of health services in Bahrain and help it gain recognition as one of the most advanced countries in this region," she said in a statement. – TradeArabia News Service