A new 1,000-bed maternity hospital will be built attached to the King Abdullah Medical Complex in Jeddah, Saudi Health Minister Dr Abdullah Al-Rabeeah has announced.

He also said Makkah will have a new 500-bed hospital, according to a Saudi Gazette report.

The report quoted him saying that another 500-bed hospital will be built in northern Jeddah and Al-Sharaye Hospital in Makkah will have 300 beds.

He said that the King Faisal Medical Tower near the holy sites in Makkah is 95 per cent complete, and will be ready to serve pilgrims before this Haj season.

He said the Kingdom will launch 79 new hospitals in different regions.