During his meeting with His Excellency the Minister of Health, Dr. Abdullah Bin AbdulAziz Al Rabeeah at the MOH Headquarters, in the presence of a number of members of Majlis Ash-Shura and MOH officials, His Excellency the Chairman of Majlis Ash-Shura (Consultative Assembly of Saudi Arabia), Sheikh Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Ash-Sheikh, highlighted the directives of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, May Allah protect him, to make the Saudi citizen the best citizen, not only among the Arab countries, but in the whole world.
At the beginning of the meeting, HE Dr. Al Rabeeah welcomed His Excellency the Chairman of Majlis Ash-Shura, his deputy and members of the delegation. HE thanked them for accepting His Excellency’s invitation, emphasizing that the Ministry is exerting intensive efforts to make good use of the generous support of the wise Leadership to the health sector to improve its performance and to provide health care for the citizens. Furthermore, the Ministry of Health, proceeding from the theme: (Patient First), has recently introduced several programs designed to serve patients and gain their satisfaction, including Patients Rights and Relations Program, Domestic Medicine Program, Bed Management Program and others.
His Excellency added that the visit of His Excellency the Chairman and members of Majlis Ash-Shura comes in line with the Royal directives underscoring the importance of uniting the efforts of all sectors to serve the citizens. It also confirms the Ministry's interest in consulting the members of Majlis Ash-Shura and benefit from their expertise and experiences to meet the aspirations of all parties.
Dr. Al Rabeeah confirmed that the MOH is currently undergoing a major restructuring phase, as a health strategic plan was developed for the upcoming ten years after a feasibility study had been conducted. In addition, the MOH has gained citizens’ trust by adopting the slogan: (Patient First).
The Ministry of Health has developed urgent, medium- and long-term solutions to face all challenges. It’s also witnessing continuous improvement in its management and its various programs.
HE added that citizens' interest is the Ministry’s main concern and the center of health services, seeking to have only one or two patients per room.
For his part, His Excellency the Chairman of Majlis Ash-Shura, praised the Ministry’s programs and plans for the ten years to come, in addition to the health achievements. He also expressed his gratitude toward HE the Minister of Health for his genterous invitation, aiming to inform the Council of the ambitious plans and MOH strategy. He added that such visits are not a substitute for discussing public sector reports in the presence of its officials, as the Council has a list of invitations to visit public sector bodies.
HE suggested forming a joint committee, which meets regularly every three months, in order to enhance cooperation between Majlis Ash-Shura and the Ministry of Health. His Excellency Dr. Al Rabeeah has approved this proposition.
His Excellency Sheikh Dr. Abdullah stated that he is honored to participate in two important MOH events to activate its programs; uterus transplantation and the Premarital Screening Program, where he had the honor to meet the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and obtain his Royal Highness's approval of the program on condition that it should be consistent with Islamic teachings.
The Chairman and members of Majlis Ash-Shura have praised the MOH strategy for the next ten years (1431-1440H), and the Integrated and Comprehensive National Healthcare Project, which abides by the principles of justice, accessibility and equality in the distribution of health services.
Afterward, both the Deputy Minister of Health for Planning and Development, Dr. Mohammad Khoshaim, and the Deputy Minister of Health for Executive Affairs, Dr. Mansour Naser Al Howasi, have delivered welcome speeches. Then, the Director-General of Planning, Dr. Mohammed Basulaiman delivered a brief presentation on the MOH strategy for the next ten years (1431-1440), as the Ministry has set a number of strategic objectives to be achieved during the next ten years. These objectives are adopting integrated and comprehensive healthcare methodology, taking into consideration research and educational aspects, establishing institutional work, enhancing the quality level, measuring and monitoring performance, hiring qualified personnel, developing human resources, developing e-health and information systems, achieving the optimal use of resources and healthcare economics applications, and studying the methods of financing them. The plan is based on five pillars: service provision, governance, human resources, information systems and finance. The plan also includes the Integrated and Comprehensive National Healthcare Project, aiming to enhance and fund services, provide and improve health services in equality and accessibility, raise the quality level of the provided services, as well as the efficiency of healthcare services, in addition to providing comprehensive services to the beneficiaries.
It followed that the Assistant Deputy Minister of Health for Preventive Medicine, Dr. Ziad Memish delivered a presentation on the plans and programs of preventive medicine and the efforts made by the Ministry to prevent and eradicate diseases, especially childhood diseases. The Ministry has accomplished a lot in immunization coverage for basic vaccines reaching more than 98%, which was evidently reflected in the decrease in the incidence of diseases.
Thereafter, the Deputy Minister of Health for Planning and Development, Dr. Mohammad Bin Hamza Khoshaim, talked about the programs and regulations of the Ministry of Health, aiming to develop health services, upgrade the performance of health facilities, and activate the institutional work of the Ministry. Then, the Director-General of Projects and Engineering Affairs, Eng. Ahmed Al Baiz, has delivered a presentation on the most outstanding health projects implemented by the Ministry; 195 projects including medical cities and towers, specialized and general hospitals and specialized centers, replacing the infrastructure of some old hospitals, in addition to 1414 primary healthcare centers construction projects.
At a later time, the Advisor to the Minister & General Supervisor of ICT, Dr. Mohammed R. Al Yemeni, delivered a presentation on the most prominent e-health programs and information technology. According to Al Yemeni, a new information technology strategic plan is currently under implementation. Also, a great deal of the MOH work is being automated, in addition to applying Newborn Infant Protection Program in hospitals.
Moreover, the Director-General of Medical Commission & Health Attaché, Dr. Khaled Al Hussein, has delivered a presentation as well. His presentation revolved around the Patients Referral System and the mechanism followed in providing treatment domestically or abroad, according to scientific and practical procedures. These procedures ensure the speed, accuracy and effectiveness of treatment. Referral is usually performed by public health organizations and the High Medical Commission, as more than 800 cases were referred overseas for treatment and more than 43.000 cases were referred for treatment inside the Kingdom.
Finally, there was an open discussion, where the members of Majlis Ash-Shura have expressed their opinions, varying views, and questions.