BBK, Bahrain’s pioneer in retail and commercial banking, announced the financing of a new health center bearing its name in the Galali area, Muharraq, at an approximate cost of 3.8 million Bahraini dinars. This is a major initiative for the Bank and reflects BBK’s keenness to advance its corporate social responsibility towards the Kingdom of Bahrain and the society and ensure it continues playing a social role despite the challenges facing today’s economy.

H.E the Minister of Works, Municipality Affairs and Urban Planning, Eng. Essam Bin Abdullah Khalaf, signed the supervision of construction agreement of the BBK Health Center project with BBK Chairman, Mr. Murad Ali Murad, at the Ministry’s HQ in the presence of H. E. the Minister of Health, Mrs. Faeqa bint Said Al-Saleh, and BBK Group Chief Executive, Dr. AbdulRahman Ali Saif.

H.E Eng. Khalaf said that the Ministry will oversee the design and construction of the project to ensure its conformity with local and international standards of health facilities, adding that it will be completed within 30 months; 12 months for the design, issuance of tender documents, starting procedures, contractor appointment, and the remaining 18 months for the construction works.

“This project comes within the framework of the Ministry of Works, Municipality Affairs and Urban Planning to provide support to the Ministry of Health to implement its programs and strategic plans enabling it to meet the health care needs of the citizens in Galali and the neighboring areas.” H.E Minister Khalaf added.

From her side H. E, the Minister of Health, said that the BBK Health Center in Galali, will be considered one of the largest of its kind in the Kingdom of Bahrain, as it will include 14 consulting clinics, accompanied by 14 nurses’ examination rooms, eight dental clinics and an observation room in the emergency department with 12 beds. In addition to an isolation room, a unit for pregnant women and child care, a department for x-rays, ultrasound and early examination of breast cancer, a laboratory, and a pharmacy, as well as support services and parking.

“We thank BBK for its constant and substantial support for the health sector in the Kingdom of Bahrain. This is the second one the Bank finances, the first being in Hidd, which confirms BBK’s keenness to support the efforts of the government in providing health, curative and preventive care services in the Kingdom of Bahrain. The construction of the BBK Health Center in Galali is within the framework of The Ministry of Health’s plans to develop primary care and facilitate citizens’ access to health services close to their areas of residence, in partnership with the private sector.” H.E Ms. Al-Saleh added.

On the other hand, BBK Chairman, Mr. Murad Ali Murad affirmed that the Bank’s initiative to establish this Health Center in Galali comes within its strategy in advancing its social responsibility; which is of utmost importance to the Bank, and reflects the direction of the Board of Directors in serving the nation and its people and meeting the aspirations of its shareholders and customers.  The commitment confirms the bank’s active role in supporting the various sectors through implementing initiatives related not only to health, but also education, philanthropy, etc…

We are proud to be financing the BBK Health Center in Galali, which will provide quality medical care to the residents of the area, and will further contribute to the development of our health sector. This is considered a model for cooperation between the private and public sectors and embodies the principles of community partnership in our dear Kingdom.” Mr. Murad added.

BBK Group Chief Executive, Dr. Abdulrahman Ali Saif, said that BBK is very keen to provide the necessary financing for this health center in Galali despite the challenges the banking and financial sector is facing due to the outbreak of coronavirus and its negative repercussions on the global economy. He stressed on the Bank’s eagerness to follow up on the project’s details, and provide all the necessary support needed to finish the construction of the BBK Health Center within the scheduled timeframe set by the Ministry of Works and in cooperation with the Ministry of Health.

“BBK’s contribution to establish this health center in Galali stems from the Bank’s belief in the importance of supporting the efforts of the esteemed government in various sectors, especially the health care sector. After the success of the BBK Health Center in Hidd, today, we are pleased to be launching yet another health initiative that will benefit the current and future generations” Dr. Saif concluded.