Habtoor unit wins $74m Saudi healthcare deal

A unit of Habtoor Leighton Group said on Sunday it has been awarded a second healthcare contract in Saudi Arabia, worth SR278m ($74m).

The deal signed by Leighton Middle East Contracting, is for the delivery of a therapy centre at King Fahad Medical City.

The project for the first Proton Therapy Centre in the Gulf region will be delivered in joint venture with Al Latifia Trading and Contracting, a statement said.

This award follows September's announcement of HLG being selected to deliver a SR1.18bn healthcare contract in Saudi Arabia as the company looks to diversify its work and expand into the growing Saudi Arabia market.

Jose Antonio Lopez-Monis, HLG's managing director, said the therapy centre will provide Saudi Arabia, and neighbouring Gulf States with access to the best cancer treatment technology in the world.

"HLG is very fortunate to be working on a project that will deliver the most advanced cancer treatment technology in the region," he said.

Ayed Awadh Alqahtani, programme director for the construction and preparation, added that the Proton Therapy Centre will be located in Riyadh and is part of the Ministry of Health King Fahad Medical City Prince Salmon Heart Centre expansion project.

The project also involves the construction of new medical centres on the current King Fahad Medical City campus.

Construction will start later this year, with the Proton Therapy Centre being completed within 18 months, he added.