An artist's impression of one of the new facilities in Hamad Medical City.
By Ramesh Mathew
Staff Reporter
A number of school buildings, whose construction was announced at the beginning of last year, are nearing completion across Qatar, Ashghal authorities have said in their annual report.
An amount of QR4.2bn was earmarked for the construction of 102 buildings, of which 44 were for educational institutions. Construction of six school complexes is already over.
Besides, a large number of buildings in the health sector and recreation facilities are also being developed in different parts of the country.
Steady progress has been reported in the development works being carried out in the health sector, notably in the Hamad Medical Corporation's facilities including the surgery department. In all, 18 projects were assigned in the health sector, of them some have already been delivered, the report said.
Among projects accomplished in 2013-14 the financial year were the renovation of the Qatar Radio & TV Corporation Complex, development of the fishing harbour complex in Ruwais Port, six schools, work at Al Khor Park including installation and maintenance-related works of playgrounds, 10 kindergartens, refurbishment works for outdoor playgrounds in 20 schools in Doha, demolition of the old boundary wall of graveyard in Al Ruwais and its reconstruction, and the renovation works at the General Postal Corporation building in West Bay.
The construction of most of the schools tendered last year is progressing. They include 15 kindergartens, many of which would be ready for commissioning in the coming months.
Ten new schools and a similar number of kindergartens are to open soon. The schools to become operational are in Doha, Al Asiri, Madinat Khalifa North, Al Luqta, Al Gharrafa and Al Shahaniya.
The new kindergartens are in Fereej Al Murra, Al Thumama, Rawdat Legdeim, Al Wajba, Al Duhail, Al Kharaitiyat, Umm Salal Ali and Al Mirqab.
As already reported, QR1.2bn has been earmarked for the construction of new projects in the healthcare sector.
The major allotments are for works at Hamad General Hospital, health centres in Al Nuaim, Al Muntaza, Al Karaana, Al Rouda and Al Leghwairiya and the wellness centre in Um Salal.
Some of the new projects in healthcare, including the centres in Al Muntaza, Al Nuaim, Al Karanaa, Al Leghwairiya, Al Rouda, Umm Salal and Communicable Diseases Hospital are expected to be ready in the next few months.
The complex featuring the gynaecology section and rehabilitation centre at Hamad Medical City, which has been earmarked a whopping QR2bn for completion, will be ready early next year, according to Ashghal authorities.
The project, spread over 227,000sq m, has a car park facility for 1,100 cars. The gynaecology section has 190 beds and 53 baby beds whereas the rehabilitation centre will have 200 beds on its completion.
The Naufar Centre for Rehabilitation in Muaither, spread over 50,117sq m, is also being given a new facelift at a cost of QR459mn.
