Saudi Gazette report

MADINAH — A newly built 100-bed integrated mobile hospital to treat coronavirus patients has been named after late Saudi female nurse Nujood Al-Khaibari in appreciation of her distinguished services.

Nujood died recently after contracting the coronavirus infection while working in one of the hospitals in Madinah.

Launched on Wednesday by Emir of Madinah Prince Faisal Bin Salman in the presence of Minister of Health Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah, the Nujood Medical Center has been built in 59 days with the support of energy and desalinated water provider ACWA Power.

Speaking on the occasion, Prince Faisal said: “It is our utmost honor to serve the healthcare sector in Madinah. I would like to thank the Ministry of Health for the remarkable effort that was invested in this project. I would also like to extend my sincere appreciation to ACWA Power, and the minister of energy for leading this initiative that leveraged the expertise of a pioneering company in the renewable energy sector”.

For his part, the health minister said: “We take immense pride today in serving the city of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) by adding 100 beds to King Fahad’s Hospital. This is undoubtedly a unique contribution by ACWA Power, led by the energy sector under the directives of Prince Abdulaziz Bin Salman. The national energy sector played a prominent role in bolstering the efforts of the Ministry of Health during the pandemic through ACWA Power’s contribution, a series of donations and supplying the equipment needed to tackle this pandemic.”

Dr. Al-Rabiah later tweeted, saying: “Today, the Governor of Madinah launched an integrated hospital with a capacity of 100 beds that was built in 59 days with the support of Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz Bin Salman and a donation from ACWA Power to provide better services.”

“It has been named the Nujood Medical Center after the late nurse Nujood Al-Khaibari, may God have mercy on her, in appreciation of what she did to serve patients and in gratitude for the efforts of health practitioners,” the health minister added.

Nujood’s sad demise caused an outpouring of national grief with Princess Reema Bint Bandar, Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to the United States, joining scores of mourners in the Kingdom and outside in bidding a tearful adieu to the late nurse.

“We mourn Nujood’s loss and remember her brave sacrifice; healthcare heroes are battling the global#Covid19 pandemic. Rest in peace #Nurse Nujood AlKhaibari,” Princess Reema had said in her tweet.

Nujood, one of the brave health heroes, was working in the health sector of Madinah, died at the age of 45. She is survived by three daughters and a son. After graduating in nursing, Nujood worked tirelessly for 15 years, translating the spirit of dedication and commitment in all senses of the word in her profession.

Nujood Medical Center is equipped with the latest medical gear and supplies needed to treat COVID-19 cases, including 40 ventilators, two intensive care units, a research laboratory, and medical gas pipeline systems that ensure a safe environment.

The facility was developed based on the highest standards of quality and hosts some of the most advanced equipment that were hand-picked to ensure the durability of the hospital, which will be utilized as a part of the Ministry of Health’s larger health facilities network after the pandemic comes to an end. The hospital was designed with stringent security and safety measures in mind for its patients as well as medical and administrative staff and the surrounding areas.

Mohammad Abunayyan, chairman ACWA Power, expressed his gratitude and appreciation to Prince Abdulaziz for directing and enabling the contribution of the private sector, which is aimed at mitigating the repercussions of the pandemic.