His Excellency the Deputy Minister of Health for Health Affairs, Dr. Mansour bin Nasser Al-Howasi, has extended his thanks and gratitude to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz, on the occasion of the Cabinet's approval of the MOH Research and Studies Regulation, which is projected to bring about a paradigm shift in the provision of health services, and add much to the developmenf of the Kingom's health research. The regulation was approved during the Cabinet's meeting, held last Monday.
In a press announcement, Dr. Al-Howasi pointed out that the regulation is intended to organize the Ministry's health research, to be reflected on its focal point; namely, the patient. In doing so, the Ministry seeks to entrench its slogan “Patient First”, by enhancing the procedures of maintaining patients' rights within the framework of the clinical research ethics. “The regulation will enrich MOH employees' knowledge revenue,” he said.
Al-Howasi added, “The draft regulation consists of fifteen articles, including definitions of the various aspects of research, the procedures of the formation of the research committee, the committee assigned to identify its priorities, the scientific committee, in addition to the procedures of research preparation, researchers' awards, intellectual property, the moral commitment to the articles of Chapter 7 of the Code of Ethics of Research on Living Things, with regard to patient rights.”
He went on to say, “The regulation allows MOH employees, those highly qualified specialists, to take part in doing research as main researchers or members of research teams. It also allows them to serve as arbitrators or consultants, on condition that this new task does not affect their original tasks.”
It is noteworthy that the Cabinet has approved the MOH Research and Studies Regulation during its meeting held last Monday, after reviewing the request submitted by His Excellency the Minister of Health, the Chairman of the Council of Health Services, Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Rabeeah, regarding the MOH Research and Studies Regulation, and after referring to the Shura Council's Decree no. 146/74, dated 13/2/1432H, and the Decree no. 98/76, dated 15/2/1433H.