Jeddah National Hospital chief plans new health investments

JEDDAH: A prominent Jeddah-based Indian businessman has disclosed plans to establish two 100-bed hospitals in Ghulail district of Jeddah and Batha district of Riyadh at a total cost of SR200 million and expand his operations to Bahrain by setting up a 150-bed hospital.
“I have bought land and completed required procedures for the Saudi projects. If I get the approval today from the ministry and municipality, I am ready to finish the work in less than two years,” said V. P. Mohammed Ali, managing director of Jeddah National Hospital (JNH).
Speaking to Arab News, Mohammed Ali said Saudi Arabia is the best place for doing business.
“Many Indians and other foreigners are interested to implement investment projects in the Kingdom,” he said and urged Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority to give them proper guidance.
“Most of these investors do not know the rules and regulations. SAGIA should appoint an official to guide them how to complete their paper works quickly,” he added.
The JNH chief said it was difficult to get qualified Saudi staff in the medical field.
“We are ready to train Saudi doctors and nurses, even if they leave us after gaining experience,” he said.
“We have to motivate Saudi nationals and provide them with adequate training. Saudi nationals are the best people in the world. They will be able to do things in a better way when they gain experience and knowledge.”
Ali intends to establish a health care company to train Saudi nationals on how to manage hospitals.
“We will establish the company and encourage Saudis to participate in it investing SR200,000 to SR500,000 in accordance with their financial capabilities,” he said.
“I will share my knowledge and experience in running hospitals and recruiting doctors and nurses.” he added.
“This is one of my dream projects and I wanted to form this company as an expression of my gratitude toward Saudi Arabia and its great people,” said Mohammed Ali.
The JNH chief emphasized his plans to invest all his earnings in the Kingdom.
“I have spent 40 years of my life here and I consider Saudi Arabia as my second home and I love this country and people. Instead of putting my savings in a bank, I wanted to invest in profitable ventures that create jobs for Saudis and expats.”
Asked what prompted him to enter the medical field, Ali said: “My father had an intention to make me a doctor but could not materialize that dream because of financial difficulties. Since then I had an obsession with the medical field. I believe health care and education are the best fields for doing business as it gives us an opportunity to serve a lot of people.”
The newly built JNH on the Makrona Street, with 100 beds and advanced medical facilities, has 800 doctors, nurses, administrators and paramedics including 190 Saudis.
“We have reduced consultation fee to SR30, SR50 and SR100, depending on qualification of doctors. For normal delivery we charge SR2,500 and cesarean SR5,000. Our charges are 20 percent less than any other hospitals,” Ali said, adding that his hospital offers 20 to 30 percent discount on charges to deserving people while the poor are given treatment free of charge.
He backed the Saudi government’s campaign to drive out illegal foreign workers, including iqama and residency rule violators, saying it is essential to strengthen the Kingdom’s security.
“Illegals are involved in various crimes including robbery, drug trafficking, murder, etc. After sending out all illegal workers, the government will issue new visas to meet manpower requirements,” he said.
Mohammed Ali said the Nitaqat nationalization program was introduced to create more job opportunities for Saudis.
“It’s not a drive against expatriates. If a company employs the required number of Saudis it will be entitled to recruit more expats. Saudi Arabia requires millions of expat workers to carry out its massive development projects.”