Egypt is finalising a 175-bed hospital in New Qena, alongside advancing water, wastewater and road projects as part of the city's eastern expansion, Minister of Housing Sherif El-Sherbiny said on Saturday. The hospital, now 97 per cent complete, will provide integrated medical services to residents of New Qena and neighbouring areas, the minister said in a Cabinet statement. El-Sherbiny also inspected utility works in the first 600-feddan phase of the city's expansion, including drinking water, sewage, irrigation, electricity and road levelling. He stressed the need to accelerate progress while maintaining quality standards. The minister underlined the importance of close monitoring of national projects in new cities to ensure they meet specifications and are delivered on time. Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English Subediting: Y.Yasser