Work starts on UAE-funded hospital in Bahrain

Abu Dhabi: The Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD) has announced the start of construction work for the Mohammad Bin Khalifa Al Khalifa Specialist Heart Centre in Awali, Bahrain, a project put at Dh550.95 million.

The funding of the project comes under a grant pledged by the UAE to Bahrain in 2013 within the purview of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) development programme.

The project, which is managed by the ADFD on behalf of the UAE government to meet the growing demand for specialist heart centres, includes the construction of an integrated advanced centre for treating various cardiac diseases and conducting heart surgeries, while also offering allied medical services.

Mohammad Saif Al Suwaidi, Director-General of the ADFD, said, “The financing of this important and integrated centre for diseases and heart surgeries reflects the keenness of the UAE on playing an effective role in sustainable development in Bahrain through provision of better health services to citizens there.”

The project represents a quantum shift in diagnosis and treatment of heart diseases, he added.

When completed, the facility is expected to have a capacity of 150 beds.

The ADFD manages the 10-year grant worth Dh9.19 billion — equivalent to $2.5 billion — pledged by the UAE to Bahrain in 2013 under the GCC development programme. The grant also targets other vital sectors in Bahrain, including housing, water, health, and transport.