His Excellency the Minister of Health, and Chairman of the Council of Health Services (CHS), Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Rabeeah, has chaired the Council's 54th meeting, held at the CHS General Secretariat Headquarters. The meeting was attended by the Council's members, representing the various governmental and private health sectors. During the meeting, the council's ex-member, Ex-Director-General of the Armed Forced Medical Services, Major General Dr. Ketab Al-Etaibi, has been honored in recognition of the strenuous efforts he exerted over his seven-year long term of office at the council.
As the meeting drew to a close, the CHS Secretary General, Dr. Yaaqoub bin Youssef Al-Mazrou', pointed out that the meeting discussed three major proposals put forward by the National Committee for Emergency Medicine Development, and approved sorting emergent cases at hospitals' emergency sections as a pilot system, and reevaluating the application of the system one year later. The system is intended to unify the procedures of sorting cases at all emergency sections throughout the Kingdom, in an endeavor to sort and differentiate cases that pose a threat to life, limbs and organs. It is also useful for the hospitalization process, and accelerating the reception and examination of cases, and thus providing the necessary treatment, properly and effectively.
Dr. Al-Mazrou' went on to say, “The council has also discussed the study prepared by King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, in collaboration with a number of specialists from medical colleges and some other health sectors, on (spina bifida). It also shed light on the feasibility of the folic acid for girls. The council approved, also, establishing a national register for spina bifida, subsidiary to the council, and hosting it at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center.”
The Secretary General further expounded that the council tackled also the issue that has to do with cooperation with eminent academic institutions specialized in medical and health-associated affairs, as well as training national cadres and competencies, and establishing partnerships with such institutions in this regard. It also assigned a number of experts to set general rules and a certain mechanism for the organization of cooperation between health sectors and international universities and health institutions, in order to be submitted to His Royal Majesty King Abdullah.
According to Dr. Al-Mazrou', the Council discussed, besides, the Ministerial Resolution No. 38, dated 26/1/1433H, that has to do with the approval of organization of the Saudi Transplantation Center, alongside preparing a comprehensive project for transplantation. It also assigned a committee to prepare the necessary operational reports. As regards organ transplantation, the council has approved to support and promote transplantation programs at GCC countries, and prompted the adoption of a joint program to serve these countries.
The council also had talks over sick leaves, and gave directions to reconsider the regulation organizing this issue, in a way that ensures proper implementation.