JEDDAH, 18 May 2006 — The International Medical Center (IMC) has marked its soft opening with its first set of surgical procedures on a single day.

Its ENT surgical staff rejoiced with renowned surgeon Dr. Walid Bukhari over the successful surgery on his little daughter, ENT consultant otolaryngologist Dr. Saleh Abdulwahed told Arab News yesterday.

The three-year-old underwent an ENT procedure performed by Dr. Abdulwahed. “It lasted just 30 minutes, but it signified a lot to her loving family and the surgical team,” he said.

The new facility’s CEO Dr. Walid Fitaihi and the Chief Medical Officer Dr. Wael Kaawach were both around to greet Dr. Bukhari and his family and wish them well.

The hospital recorded its second surgery of the day, performed on an 18-year-old woman with a knee ligament injury. IMC’s Chief of Surgery and Head of Musculoskeletal Center of Excellence Dr. Mohammed Attiah performed it.

It also turned out to be significant, as the surgery was conducted over a two-hour period using spinal anesthesia administered by Chief of Anesthesiology Dr. Hussain Darwish. The patient quickly recovered and was able to walk without help soon thereafter.

“The commitment to accuracy displayed by all IMC staff ensured the quick recovery of these patients and they marked the start of many surgical procedures in-line for this month,” Dr. Abdulwahed said.

The IMC, which awaits its official opening, is involved in partnership with the Cleveland Clinic Foundation (CCF), a US-based world leader in health care services based in Cleveland, Ohio. Among many specialist services it also consists of six “Centers of Excellence,” each with its own structure of easing the patient’s access to many aspects of their condition. Every center is designed around the concept of holistic healing, that is, implementing methods to treat the patient as a whole; body, mind and soul, by using the latest techniques, educational platforms and state-of-the-art equipment.

The IMC has initiated an accreditation process with the Joint Commission International, based in the United States, with a view to ensuring the highest quality of health care service.