Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
The American Mission Hospital in Manama has carried out an extensive facelift of a special facility now named after one of the early pioneers of health care in the kingdom.
A building in the grounds of the main hospital first opened in 1926 has been refurbished and dedicated as the Zwemer Clinic.
“Its sole purpose is to serve the low-income people of Manama, who seek help at AMH, by providing affordable high-quality medical care,” said Dr George Cheriyan, Chief Medical Officer at AMH, adding that the service is in keeping with the hospital’s commitment to the community which stretches back more than 120 years.
The extensive refurbishment of the clinic took place over several months, and last week it was officially opened by Shaikh Hisham bin Abdulrahman Al Khalifa, the governor of the Capital Governorate, and US ambassador Justin Siberell, and board members.
Dr Cheriyan explained that its name honours Samuel Zwemer’s (April 12, 1867 – April 2, 1952) legacy of service to the people of Bahrain. The American missionary, traveller and scholar, along with James Cantine and J S Lansing, are considered to be the founding fathers of the Arabian Mission for the Reformed Church of America.
Samuel stopped-over in Bahrain frequently during his tours of the region, and on December 7, 1892 rented a room, which led to the opening of a medical dispensary in the Old Souq in 1893.
The desire to serve the people Bahrain by providing them with modern medical care led to the opening of the Mason Memorial Hospital on January 26, 1903 which later transitioned into what is now the American Mission Hospital.
Ambassador Siberell said: “I’m extremely honoured to be a part of the opening of the Zwemer Clinic. AMH over the years has played a vital role in strengthening the Bahraini and the American community. Furthermore, the launching of this clinic is a reaffirmation of the beginning itself, which was to serve the people.
“We are looking forward to expanding ties between the two countries and we are very excited to celebrate the effort and be a part of the long legacy and tradition between the two countries.”
It’s an exciting time for AMH, as it was be opening its latest clinic in Riffa, opposite The Walk, on March 21. This facility will be of particular interest to athletes, with a special sports medicine and rehabilitation section and an Olympic-size hydrotherapy swimming pool, the largest of its kind in the kingdom.
l The Samuel Zwemer Charity Clinic is open from 4pm to 11pm Saturday to Thursday and from 7.30am to 11pm on Fridays, with a consultation fee of just BD5. For more information contact 17177711.
