Saudi Arabia hands over 40-bed field hospital to Pakistan
By Ali Imran

ISLAMABAD— The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on Thursday handed over a fully equipped field hospital established in Post Graduate College Mansehra to the government of Pakistan.
The hospital comprises of 40-bed purchased from Norway andfurnished with modern and state-of art medical equipment from Europe.
The handing over ceremony held in this regard in Mansehra was attended by Minister for Health Muhammad Nasir Khan, Secretary Health Syed Anwar Mehmood and Saudi Ambassador Ali Saeed Awadh Al-Assiri.
Speaking on the occasion, Muhammad Nasir Khan said soon after October 8 earthquake, the government of Saudi Arabia was among those countries which immediately provided relief assistance to the quake victims.
He said Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have always enjoyed a unique relationship.
The minister recalled the directive of Khadim-ul-Harmain-al-Sharifain King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz to maintain an air bridge of relief items for the quake victims.
He said Pakistan and Saudi Arabia enjoy brotherly relations which are further strengthening day by day. He said these relations are time-tested.
He appreciated the efforts of doctors and paramedical staff and said that Saudi Relief mission remained in the forefront in the relief efforts.
Nasir Khan said international community and United Nations agencies acknowledged the efforts of Pakistan government for properly handling the situation after the earthquake.
He said soon after earthquake, the Health ministry had mobilized 27,000 doctors, nurses and paramedics to help the quake survivors.
He said in order to compensate for destroyed healthinfrastructure, field hospitals and camps were arranged withcooperation of international agencies and health professionals from all over the country and abroad.
The Saudi Ambassador said that sending relief assistance to the quake affected areas is a proof that Saudi Arabia considers Pakistan its brotherly country.
He said after October 8 earthquake that caused loss of lives and property, the government of Saudi Arabia had tried to share this great loss with the government of Pakistan.
He said the setting up of state of the art field hospital inMansehra reflects love and affection between the two countries. He said Saudi Arabia had provided maximum medical care to the quake victims through this field hospital.
The field hospital handed over to Pakistan is equipped with all facilities including emergency room, ICU, two operation rooms five general clinics, gynae clinic, ENT clinic, dressing room, laboratory, pharmacy etc.