In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon the seal of the prophets and messengers, our Prophet Muhammad, and his family and companions.
Today is the 26th of Jumada II, 1435, corresponding to the 26th of April, 2014; a new day replete with joy and achievements under the prosperous reign of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, and His Royal Highness the Second Deputy Prime Minister, may Allah protect them. On this day, our generous country continues its march kicked off by the Founder of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, King Abdulaziz bin Abdurrahman Al Saud, and continued by his sons, may Allah bless their souls, leaving a discernible imprint on the growth and development of all walks of life in our beloved country.
Today, on the occasion of of the Ninth Anniversary of the Pledge of Allegiance (Bay'ah) to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, we are recalling nine years of pride of building a glorious nation, under the leadership of our beloved king who brought into reality achievements transcending expectations, and overcame the barrier of time.
During the prosperous reign of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, strategic reforms and been conducted, and promising strides have been taken, bringing about a quantum leap in all areas of development, of which we are all proud. That is to be added recognition and appreciation we receive from all over the world. It is such a colossal step forward that paves the way for a pivotal juncture in the history of this country and the nation (Ummah) as a whole, and makes us look forward to the future and the forthcoming generations with hope and enthusiasm. Narrowing our focus down to the health area, it is no secret that the reign of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, may Allah protect him, is characterized by unstinting support to the Ministry of Health (MOH), deemed to be the largest in its history, since the inception of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This comes within the framework of an overall economic renaissance, which indicates that investment in the citizen and his health is considered by the government as a top priority.
ver the past five years, the Ministry has established and equipped 824 primary health care centers, to be added to other 827 centers under construction, bringing the total of health centers in the Kingdom to 2259 centers, seeking to attain a total of 2750 centers by the end of the current ten-year strategic plan in 1440H. Corresponding to this expansion was another quantum leap in the establishing of public and specialized hospitals. Within this vein, 79 hospitals have been established, with a total bed capacity of 10.835 beds over the same period, and underway is the construction and awarding of other 147 hospitals and medical towers, with a total cost of 3.441 beds, bringing the total to 39.840 beds, expected to leap up to 73.168 beds by the end of the current ten-year strategic plan in 1440H, having the said projects completed, in addition to five medical cities covering the entire Kingdom. It is reckoned a specific, first-of-its-kind trajectory of development in the Kingdom, with the aim of providing fourth-level health services, in conformity with the National Project for Integrated and Comprehensive Health Care, adding 6.200 referential beds to the Ministry's bed capacity. In addition, underway is an expansion of the specific medical centers; 12 cardiac surgery centers have been established, aside from three other centers under construction, bringing the total of cardiac specific centers to 15. Over and above, five oncological centers have been operated, and the Ministry is considering an oncological center in each of the Kingdom's regions.
Health development in this generous country has not been limited to the construction of health facilities. In its pursuit to best serve patients, and address the increasing demand on health services, the Ministy of Health has continued to do its best, by adopting specific service programs. The Day-Surgery Program has proven successful in improving the day-surgery service, and increasing its proportion from 2% to 42%; in the last year 65.305 day-surgeries were conducted. The Home Medicine Program, for its part, offered its services to over 33.700 beneficiaries at their homes since its coming into effect in 1430H. As for the Bed Management Program, it managed to increase the bed circulation over the past five years by 20%, thus offering patients greater benefit. In addition, about 95.000 cases have benefitted from the Referral Program (Ehalati), meant to electronically refer cases among the Kingdom's hospitals.
The gracious support directed to health services during this prosperous reign has been also reflected in the level of health services. To date, 52 hospitals have been accredited by the Saudi Center for Health Facilities Accreditation, and underway is the accreditation of other 38 hospitals. That is to be added to the accreditation of 22 hospitals by the Joint Commission International (JCI), and underway is the accreditation of other 14 hospitals.
In doing so, the Ministry has adopted the integrated and comprehensive health care approach, within its ten-year strategic (1430-1440H), to be a role model in the provision of health care of all types. To that end, the Public Health Agency has been established to carry out 37 preventive programs, including the national vaccination program targeting 24 diseases, which increased the percentage of immunization to 98% of the basic vaccinations, in addition to the prevention programs of diabetes, early detection of cancer, anti-smoking and the healthy marriage program. That is to be added the National Center for Health Media and Awareness meant to carry out awareness programs and campaigns all year long, and provide consultations by experts and specialists to patients and their families. This comprehensive and integrated health system, which applied the world's highest standards, was reflected in the health indicators; the mortality of infants, newborns and below-five children was reduced to be under the European standard. Also, the life expectancy rose from 69 to 75 in few years.
On this precious occasion, our loyalty to the Wise Leadership is renewed. May Allah prolong the life of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, help him serve his loyal people, as well as the Arab and Islamic Ummah, and make his two brothers the best support to him, namely His Royal Highness the Crown Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, and His Royal Highness Prince Muqrin bin Abdulaziz, the Second Deputy Prime Minister, Advisor and Special Envoy to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, may Allah protect them.
To conclude, I pray for Allah Almighty to protect our beloved country against any evil, preserve its rulers, and perpetuate its safety and stability. May Allah confer health and well being on all, He listens and responds.