Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, center, was the chief guest at the event.

King Abdullah International Humanitarian Foundation (KAIHF) launched a new dialysis center in Makkah as part of the King Abdullah International Foundation for Charity and Humanitarian Works Dialysis Care Project.

The launch ceremony was patronized by Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal in the presence of Prince Khaled bin Abdullah, the chairman of the board of trustees of KAIHF, National Guard Minister Prince Miteb bin Abdullah and Prince Turki bin Abdullah, the CEO of KAIHF.

Addressing the event, Prince Turki said they were harvesting the fruits in the highest sense of the noble human values that the late King Abdullah was keen on.

The late king left behind so many examples of his humanitarian dedication to serving Islam, the country and citizens. He also established, cared for and spread the message of tolerance and peace, and supported works related to Islamic Shariah, Prince Turki pointed out.

Prince Turki noted that the efforts of the late King Abdullah in the establishment of medical cities and specialized medical centers for the provision of health care services earned the country a spot at the top of regional and global destinations for critical cases and surgeries such as separation of conjoined twins, cardiac diseases and liver transplants.

Prince Khaled Al-Faisal and attendees were shown a documentary film on KAIHF. Prince Khaled also received a memorial gift from Prince Khaled bin Abdullah.

The new dialysis center in Makkah is considered a continuation of the dialysis projects already established in the central region (northern and southern Riyadh) and the western region (Jeddah and Makkah). New centers will be opened soon in Madinah, Hail and Rafha.

The number of dialysis machines has reached 920 with their capacity standing at 3,344 patients, expandable to 5,000 patients. The dialysis centers are equipped with highly qualified medical, nursing, technical and operational cadres.

The first stage of the project was completed in January 2014 with the preparation of two centers in northern and southern Riyadh with a capacity of 128 and 98 machines, respectively, whereas the Jeddah center has a capacity of 207 machines.

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