By Hanan Al-Qaisi KUWAIT, Aug 11 (KUNA) -- The year 2008 will embody a grueling challenge for Kuwait's United Medical Services Company, as the firm -- specialized in providing medical and health care services -- was unremittingly working to develop state-of-the-art projects in Kuwait.
One of the company's future projects was the establishment of Al-Seif Hospital at a total cost of KD 25 million (USD 88.7 million).
The company's Chairman and Managing Director Dr. Maytham Mahmoud Haidar told KUNA that the hospital, with a 120-bed capacity, was currently under construction at its location in Salmiya, overlooking the sea.
He added that the hospital would include specialized clinics in gynecology, pediatrics, cosmetic surgeries and supporting medical services. Haidar noted that 90 percent of the project would be accomplished by year end.
Another hospital, specialized in digestive-related diseases and ophthalmic urinal illnesses, will also open in 2008, Haidar said, adding that the "International Hospital" would have a capacity of 200 beds and would cost another KD 25 million.
The company is also planning to open seven more branches of the Pharma-Shop chain by the end of 2008, Haidar said, noting that it had already opened five stores throughout Kuwait that offered unprecedented treatment services for its customers.
As for the company's earnings, Haidar said that total profits for the year 2006-2007 reached KD 15 million (USD 53.2 million), compared to KD 10.25 million (USD 36.4 million) for the same period last year, an increase of 47 percent.
On his part, United Laboratories Company Executive Director Dr. Mohammad Al-Jaafar told KUNA that one the company's major achievements for 2007 was establishing one of the region's most advanced dental laboratories, which attained the International Standards Organization (ISO) quality certificate.
The company's profits in 2006 reached KD 1.2 million (USD 4.2 million), compared to 2004-2005's KD 837,000 (USD 2.97 million), Al-Jaafar added.
The company is a subsidiary of Kuwaiti United Medical Services Company.
United Medical Services is a closed Kuwaiti shareholding company established in 2001 with total assets of KD 85 million (USD 300 million). (end) hq.hb KUNA 111346 Aug 07NNNN