Bangladesh Nobel laureate Prof. Muhammad Younus’ words inspired the authorities to launch a project of 100 beds at Bab Al-Khair hospital, said Subhi Batterjee, chairman of the board of directors, Beit Al-Batterjee Charity Foundation.
He was speaking at the opening ceremony of the first charitable hospital in the Kingdom.
He said Yunus had conveyed the idea of exploiting the purchasing power of large companies for the charity works and betterment of the needy people. He said Yunus did not think his words would become a tangible reality one day.
Makkah Mayor Osama bin Fadl Al-Bar laid the foundation stone of the project.
Laying the foundation stone for this project is an initial step in that direction, Batterjee said.
The hospital is the first in a series of charitable medical centers to be opened in the Kingdom. A number of municipality officials and businesspersons were present on this occasion.
Batterjee said the project is a part of “Crown Prince Plan No. 5,” which will provide treatment facilities to the poor and needy in Makkah.
It will contribute to alleviate the pain of patients and provide quality medical services to the people through a group of medical specialties and a human cadre qualified in the surgical operations and medical analysis.
The project is based on the principle of private sector’s contribution toward those who could not afford advance medical treatment.
Batterjee lauded King Salman for his support to the private sector in the field of medicine. He stressed that similar projects and charitable works will be provided in other regions of the country.
Al-Bar described the scheme as one of the pioneering projects that would improve health services for pilgrims and visitors in the city.
He hoped that it would supply the labor market with trained Saudi medical personnel to promote the health sector. He said it would accelerate the development and help in achieving the Saudi Vision 2030.
He thanked all those involved in the project, which according to him will transform a dream into reality.

Source: Arab News