International Medical City in Salalah to Boost GCC Medical Tourism

MUSCAT, Oman, July 17, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

• Salalah based International Medical City (IMC) marks milestone with completion of infrastructure planning phase
• Developed by Apex Medical Group (AMG), a subsidiary of Al Joaib Group, in cooperation  with Oman Government Ministries
• Leading international investors join hands with AMG as construction of the project shortly to commence

Inbound medical tourism to the Gulf region is set to enjoy a huge surge in popularity with the planned International Medical City (IMC) development in Salalah, Sultanate of Oman. The Apex Medical Group (AMG) has concluded the final stages of planning for the project with the recent completion of the infrastructure planning, and the developer is keen to point out the myriad benefits associated with medical tourism investment within the region, which will result in a multispecialty tertiary care hospital and three medical centres of excellence for organ transplant, rehabilitation and diagnostics, operating right at the door step of all GCC residents.

     (Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130717/629334 )

Highlighting the demand for such a project in the region, Dr. Abdulla Al Joaib - President of Apex Medical Group - said, "The trend towards medical tourism continues to gain in popularity with the number of people travelling abroad for medical treatments - especially from the Middle East - growing rapidly. The International Medical City in Salalah aspires to provide cost effective and reliable medical services right here in the region.

The International Medical City project business model comprises integrated units and functions which support and complement each other. The first phase of the project - planned to be finished in 2016 - will witness the completion of the Healthcare Complex which consists of a 250-bed multi-specialty tertiary care hospital which includes Organ Transplant Centre of Excellence, Diagnostic Centre of Excellence, and Rehabilitation Centre of Excellence. Noting the increasing demand for organ transplant facilities in the region, Dr. Abdulla Al Joaib noted, "According to official figures provided by the Saudi Centre for Organ Transplantation, a total of 553 kidney and 115 liver transplants were performed within Saudi Arabia in 2011, and this figure continues to grow year on year. The need to have a centre of excellence in the region, providing multi-specialty tertiary care and an advanced organ transplant centre is clearly demonstrated. "

The second phase of the project will witness the extension of the multispecialty tertiary care hospital to 430 beds, and will encompass Healthcare Resort which will offer Complementary and Alternative Medicine. The resort will include a wellness centre, a 4-star hotel connected to the hospital, a conference hall, staff accommodation, serviced apartment for patients' families, in addition to other amenities. The Educational Complex will be completed in the third phase, and it will encompass a medical college, a nursing college, a conference centre, and a research and development centre. The multi-specialty hospital will also be extended to 530 beds at this stage.

Highlighting the ongoing efforts by Apex Medical Group to spearhead the project, Dr. Al Joiab said "The Master Plan of IMC has now been finalised, and investors and contractors have shown great interest to participate in this tremendous development. Most importantly, all the necessary licenses to begin the project have been almost completed in coordination with the Oman Ministry of Tourism and Ministry of Health, whose support and commitment shown to the IMC Salalah project has been invaluable. We have also been receiving partnership proposals from local and international businesses, research centres and educational institutions."

The International Medical City will take shape east of Salalah, and the project will become a first-class healthcare hub for both the local community and the international health tourism market. The 866,000 square meter complex will provide much more than traditional hospital facilities. It will house the first specialized organ transplant and rehabilitation medical centres of excellence in the GCC region. The project will bring tremendous benefits to patients who will be able to enjoy high quality healthcare facilities without having to travel to far-away destinations. The International Medical City will bring international expertise to assure world-class medical services and will provide training and research opportunities to GCC graduates in the medical field. The project will also contribute to the sustainable urban environment as it offers high quality environment for residents, with the opportunity to attract and promote investment, generate jobs and strengthen the economy.

The International Medical City in Salalah is developed by Apex Medical Group, a subsidiary of the Dammam headquartered Al-Joaib Holdings, a highly reputable name in the Middle East with extensive experience and an in-depth understanding of large scale developments. Al-Joaib Holdings has diversified portfolio of businesses, extending from the Middle East to the United States, and is the parent organization for many other group companies with business interests in engineering, Contracting, Real Estate Development and Hospitality.

Contact:
Abdullah Al-Rashdi
Senior Account Executive
  ZEENAH PR  
T: (+968)24-693-236 - Ext. 255
M: (+968)955-333-99
F: (+968)24-693-606
E: abdullah.alrashdi@zeenahpr.com
P.O. Box 880, Muscat 130, Sultanate of Oman
(A ZEENAH GROUP company)

SOURCE Apex Medical Group