So What's KFH (Part 2)

Year 2007: And the maintenance is still ongoing.

The bed capacity of the hospital ... halved;
The operation theatre ... closed (Unacceptably high post-operative infection rate),
The colour of the entrance has been changed, four times so far... now, the whole entrance is made of 5-star marble ... at least they can't change its colour easily this time huh?
Many doctors have no offices ...you can see now those white-coated organisms roaming in the main entrance most of the hours... at least justifying the high expenditure it costed).
Water shortage ... 5 days a week.
Power shortage ... once every now and then (...we even had had a blast with casualties, my condolences to the grieving families).
And dirty water is still leaking, now everywhere.

Remaining budget after the marble entrance: estimated 100.000 Riyals

Just why on earth didn't they accept the German offer?!!!

On The Run

When I first came to the Kingdom, I stayed in Jeddah. Compared to where I come from, Jeddah is a deserted city. Believe it or not. It takes you ages to find a fellow pedestrian on the streets in the evening of a working weekday. Should you run into one, he's usually frowning at you; nothing personal, probably the effect of the hot humid weather, compounded with a few added things.
You'd get adjusted pretty soon, smoothly I have to say.

Then came the news that I had to join work in the city of Medina.
Saudis enjoy a 2-day weekend, Thursday and Friday. They would be seen all over the streets and gardens and even sandy yards where they enjoy the "khalaa" which is virtually any desert where they sit, smoke and enjoy Arabian coffee and chat.
This festival starts every Wednesday night and lasts till near dawn, so you'd expect them to have a hang over next day till noon.
So, Thursday morning Saudi cities are kinda ghost cities. That was when I first entered Medina. Now, remember where I come from compared to Jeddah and try to feel, what my feeling must have been moving to Medina.
That didn't last long...

Medina is one place on earth where you would feel part of as soon as you enter its premises; before you notice, the serenity of the city will overwhelm any feeling of being abroad. It has nice cozy, mostly clean streets with pruned trees (all thanks go to the under-paid Asian labour), a few neat malls and best of all, it's never been jammed other than the central zone, near the Haram during pilgrimage/Ramdan seasons.

To enjoy the life in Medina, you've got to learn how to dissociate yourself from any mis-haps that may come by from anywhere like your work place or so. Unfortunately, troubles in Saudi Arabia are augmented by just being a foreigner (well, not the case to every foreigner ;) ); so my previous piece of advice may prove difficult to implement; ...however, practice makes perfect ;)

Bottom line, It's an adoring city to live in. You will definately fall in love with, that now, I dare to say I can't bear staying in Jeddah, or even more... my home city :-s .

So What's KFH

To those of you who live in Saudi Arabia, the "H" stands for a hospital in the city of Medina; already too much has been said about which hospital is at stake here. To those of you who have never been to Saudi Arabia, that's all what you need to know for now.

(KFH has all what it takes to be one of the greatest hospitals in the region, only if the people there decide to make it so.)

Year 2000: KFH: A 25-year-old German-built 6-story building, huge affiliated facilities, a busy and active emergency department, skilled foreign staff, "struggling-to-function" sophisticated equipment (struggling due to lack of maintenance).

Year 2001: New fiscal year budget for health care in Medina is issued; officials decide to refurbish the hospital.
They meet ...
they discuss ...
they finally come up with what the hospital needs most.
... no, no...
not new mechanical ventilators,
not a new cath-lab either ...
and definately not more experienced staff to fill the under-staffed departments.

So what may KFH be needing the most?

A new look!!
They decide to re-paint the main entrance of the hospital ...into dark blue and dark green, :-s , not the best a sick patient may like his eyes to fall on.

Year 2002: A German company calls: "Goot Morgen, according to v'our papers, we have built'en an hospital 25 years ago; and now it'z time for maintenance."
Officials: " how much will ziz maintenance cost?"
Za German company: "30 Mil Saudi Riyals, Maintenance ends in 3 months"
Officials: "Huh!! 30 Mils? Oh no, zat's too much. No, sank you, we will do za maintenance ourselves"

Year 2003: (Winter) ... no maintenance started yet, ... A non-stop rainy season is due to start.
Saudi Arabia is a relatively arid and dry country. The sky is almost clear all year round.
However, it's still always rainy whenever I enter the hospital; and the lower the floor I go the heavier the rain is. You get accustomed to seeing buckets on the floor acting as reservoirs, a warning sign of a "rainy spot, mind your step", after all, who wants to step into the sewage of more than 400 patients sick with all kinds of infections (which KFH lacks non of).

Year 2004: A huge project is under way to restore the prestige of the biggest hospital in Medina.
The published budget for the project: 75 Million Saudi Riyals. Psychiatrists protest; the entance colour has increased their work load. Officials listen.
The gloomy colour of the entrance is to be changed. The finest architect is summoned to redecorate the entrance. He decides... a khaki colour with camouflage style is his choice.

... to be continued.

Gearing Up

This is my first blog to write ever. I've always had the idea of writing short notes of what I thought worth sharing with other people.
I'm living in Saudi Arabia, a country where you can't easily share your thoughts in public, specially those that may sound critical to those in power, be it the absolute power ;) , or the institute administration where you are working. I'm not really into politics AT ALL. Please, let that be clear. I just aim to post my thoughts here, where I can direct those who I wish to share them (my thoughts) with to.
A sort of the-unspoken-of communication.
In my next few posts, I may give a hint to who I may turn out to be. Right now I'm just gearing up my courage to engage in that sort of "out-speaking"...
To my dearest colleagues, Keep tuned; real mind-blowing stories to follow. To the rest of you, you are most welcome to share your stories if you find any resemblance or the urge to comment.