MOH Undersecretary for Planning and Devlepment Dr. Obeid Al-Obeid, On behalf of the Minister of Health Dr. Hamad Al-Mane, launched the activities of the International Health Survey, the biggest health exploration study in the history of the Kingdom. Continuing for 40 days, the survey works will be carried out by 575 participants divided into 147 teams, each team being formed of a doctor, a nurse, and a supervisor. About 150 supportive areas from the Ministry of Health and Directorates of Health Affairs in the provinces shall also participate. A website has also been established.
He said the survey aims at evaluating the health situation of the population and assisting in providing better health services to the public. It is carried out in coordination with the Ministry of Interior, and WHO. A sample formed of 11 thousand families, representing the population group of the Kingdom, has been selected by the Central Department of Statistics and Information from the actual records of the population census for the year 1425H.
On the other hand, MOH Assistant Undersecretary for Planning and Research Dr. Ghazi Al-Jeelani said the survey will provide health planners and decision makers, at both national and international levels, complete and documented information on the health situation of the population. It will demonstrate the role of health in developing human and economic resources. It will also confirm the importance of securing all possible capabilities for providing health care to the whole population at all levels.
He said the survey aims at acquiring reliable and accurate information on the health situation of the population, identifying the major health problems in the Kingdom, deriving some important clues such as morbidity burden and inherited diseases, identifying the major health problems affecting the individuals, establishing a database for measuring the performance of the health system, etc.