MINISTRY OF DEFENCE - ARMED FORCES MEDICAL SERVICES DEPT.
Northern Area Armed Forces Hospital
King Khalid Military City ,Hafer Al Batin, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Hafr Al Batin:

The town of Hafr Al Batin lies 60km to the east of KKMC - about 40 minutes by road/bus.   Weekly shopping trips to Hafr are provided, free of charge, for Hospital staff.   The town has a large number of shops that provide a wide range of goods and includes a traditional open-air market or 'Souk' that sells local artifacts and produce.

Traditional Arabic Jewellery

Unlike the shops in KKMC where prices are generally fixed, customers in the Souk can often 'bargain' for the 'best price'.   Indeed, such is the continuity of tradition in the town that the vendor may be a little unhappy if a customer does not try to 'haggle'. 

King Khalid Military City (KKMC) is situated around 400 kilometers northeast of Riyadh, close to the town of Hafr Al Batin.   KKMC supports a mixed military and civilian population for whom the Northern Area Armed Forces Hospital (NAAFH) provides primary and secondary healthcare services.   At different times the Hospital has been known unofficially as King Khalid Military City Hospital (KKMCH).

Hospital

Over 800 housing units are available at the Hospital, including single female apartments, family villas, guest accommodation and single male apartments.   Allocation to these is based on contract status, but utilities and maintenance are provided free of charge for all employees.

KKMC has a wide variety of shops and several large supermarkets.   There is regular Hospital transport to the local shops as well as to the nearby town of Hafr Al Batin where there are modern malls as well as a traditional Arabic 'Souk' - (open air market).     Staff can also take advantage of periodic shopping trips to Riyadh, or to the resort of Al Khobar on the Arabian Gulf coast.  Al Khobar contains  a world class shopping complex - see below.

Shopping in KKMC: