His Majesty King Abdullah on Sunday visited the King Hussein Medical Centre (KHMC), inspecting the healthcare services there and checking on patients at the Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II Centre for Kidney Diseases and other clinics.

King Abdullah called for continuing to provide the best medical and healthcare services at the KHMC's various facilities and clinics.

At a meeting with Royal Medical Services (RMS) Director Maj. Gen. Muin Habashneh, attended by Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Lt. Gen. Mahmoud Freihat, His Majesty was briefed on the preliminary plans for the KHMC development project, estimated to cost over JD500 million.

The government will fund the project, with the United Arab Emirates contributing a JD141 million grant through the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development for the implementation of the first phase.

Speaking at the meeting, the King urged expediting the project's implementation to serve citizens and maintain quality services.

His Majesty also called for introducing new medical specialties and equipment to better serve patients.

The King commended RMS personnel for their services despite the increasing workload, stressing the importance of building on their good regional and international reputation.

The KHMC received over 6.2 million patients in 2017, including 200,000 bed stays, and 100,000 cases undergoing surgeries.

Ten hospitals, including hospitals and centres at the KHMC, as well as 10 medical centres around the Kingdom are affiliated with the RMS.

His Majesty thanked the UAE for supporting the first phase of the KHMC development project.

The project entails adding 1,120 additional beds to the KHMC, to total 2,472 beds. It will be implemented over three phases, the first of which concludes in 2024.

Habashneh said designs for the project will be complete by the first quarter of 2019, ahead of floating the tender, noting that project implementation will not impact the services currently offered to patients.

Royal Hashemite Court Chief Fayez Tarawneh and Director of the Office of His Majesty Jafar Hassan accompanied the King on the visit.