Saudi-German Hospital fire a mystery [Archives:2006/922/Local News]
SAN'A'A, Feb. 18 ) A huge fire broke out last Wednesday in north Sana'a at Saudi-German Hospital, which is still under construction. The hospital is a Yemeni, Saudi and German businessmen investment. The fire raised many questions and its cause remains a mystery as security apparatuses continue investigating.
The hospital was considered ready for inauguration with a scheduled opening during May's unification festivities. Fire broke out at 5 p.m. and blazed for an hour and a half. The press was prevented from visiting or photographing the site.
Sources said investigations continue under prominent official supervision, especially after President Saleh's visit to the site an hour after it broke out. Hospital administration and security sources refused to comment on the cause of the fire, which destroyed the $4 million medical cinema hall. Official sources attribute the fire to an electrical short.
Firemen confirmed that they controlled the fire, which destroyed the meeting and display hall on the building's top two stories where the cinema hall also was located. Firemen assured that they saved numerous technical and other equipment in the display hall. They also confirmed that there were no casualties, as the hospital had not begun work yet.
Al-Nahar weekly reported, “The incident remains a mystery, yet the unprecedented surprise presidential visit adds to the ambiguity.”
However, the newspaper reported that the incident could be categorized as part of conflicts between different economic lobbies, which combine economic and political activity. They employ each of the activities to serve the other's interest.
Equipped with modern German technical and medical apparatus, Saudi-German Hospital is considered one of Yemen's investments in the medical field. At a cost of $100 million, the six-story hospital contains 300 beds, as well as six residential units for doctors and medical officials.
The hospital is expected to be a regional cancer treatment center for the African Horn and other countries. It also will be a treatment center for complicated open-heart surgeries and various types of trauma-related injuries as a substitute for treatment abroad.
Saudi-German Hospital is an affiliate of Saudi-Yemeni Group which invests in areas like Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Egypt, the Emirates, Ethiopia, Nigeria and Pakistan. Having built its first hospital in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia in 1988, the group aims to finance, establish and manage more than 30 international hospitals before 2015.
Saudi-German Hospitals are considered the largest medical group in the Middle East and Africa with more than 500 doctors and specialists, 1,500 nurses and 1,500 hospital employees, technicians, architects and engineers, in addition to thousands of construction workers.
——
[archive-e:922-v:14-y:2006-d:2006-02-20-p:ln]
