On his own account, and on behalf of the employees of all health sectors, His Excellency the Minister of Health, Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz al-Rabeeah, has presented warm, heartfelt thanks and gratitude to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and His Royal Highness the Second Deputy Minister, May Allah protect them, on the occasion of the Lesser Bairam (Eid al-Fetr).
Today morning, while congratulating the Ministry's employees at the MOH Concert Hall, Dr. al-Rabeeah was quoted as saying, “It pleases the Ministry of Health to bring to you the good news that the field follow-up reports and epidemiological surveillance tours conducted by the MOH show that no Coronavirus cases (MERS-CoV) or epidemiological outbreaks have been registered amidst Umrah pilgrims in Makkah and Madinah during Holy Ramadan, although the number of pilgrims has mounted to over five million. All of them have left the Kingdom, except 200.000 pilgrims. Health services have been provided by the MOH facilities to 146.594 pilgrims in Makkah and Madinah.”
“The Ministry has managed to accomplish numerous achievements over the last period,” al-Rabeeah continued. “To mention some, it has launched the 937-Service with a view to serving patients and their families and catering to their needs, in addition to providing answers to people's inquiries and complaints. Another noteworthy achievement is providing ambulatory and emergency services through the 24/7 MOH Emergency Communications Center. The number of those who benefited from the Home Medicine program till the end of this year's second quarter has mounted to 28.000 patients, offered medical services by 281 medical crews from 173 hospitals.”
“At the outset of this year,” Dr. al-Rabeeah added, “the Council of Minister has approved establishing a center for prevention and combat of diseases, under the MOH organizational structure, taking the name: 'The National Center for Prevention and Combat of Diseases'. The center aims to minimizing both communicable and non-communicable diseases, as well as following them up, conducting efficient surveillance, and putting an end to their spread.”
He further expounded that “the Ministry has continued to attract consultant physicians from USA and Canada, as well as Arab and European countries as part of the Visiting Doctor Program. The number of physicians attracted so far is 2.823. Moreover, the first batch of Cuban consultant physicians is expected to reach the Kingdom over the few weeks to come.”
Dr. al-Rabeeah also mentioned that underway is the establishment of 138 hospitals and a medical tower, at a total bed capacity of 34.800 beds, to be added to the specialized centers and the new five medical cities (9.018 beds). Besides, three heart centers and four oncological centers are to be opened over the upcoming months, along with ten hospitals, within the framework of the MOH's plan for this year and the year to follow (2013-2014), aiming to operate 30 hospitals, now being equipped and staffed.
Dr. al-Rabeeah went on to say, “Eight projects have been awarded, including the establishment of Thehran al-Janoob Hospital (200 beds), completion of Hail General Hospital (500 beds), establishment of the Qatif Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital (300 hospital), establishment of Buraidah Hospital (300 beds) alongside its housing, establishment of Abha Mental Health Hospital (400 beds), establishment of Makkah Hospital (500 beds), establishment of the National Center for Vendors in Jazan, and the establishment of the Riyadh Regional Laboratory and Poison Center.”
“The Bed Management Program and the Day Surgery Program have been put into action during this year at all hospitals with 100 or more bed capacity,” al-Rabeeah added. “The number of day surgeries conducted over the first half of this year is 39.800, with an increase of 8% compared to last year, thus bringing it to 46%. Also, 100 hospitals have been electronically connected, giving the readings of 14 indicators that have to do with the status of beds, bed occupancy, bed turnover rate, type of disease, patient's waiting period, and doctor's accomplishment ratio. And over the upcoming months, the remaining hospitals will be connected as well, including specialized hospitals and medical cities.”
Dr. al-Rabeeah went on to explain that the Patient Relations and Rights Program has managed to electronically observe and identify the level of patients' satisfaction at 100 hospitals, by means of electronically legalized surveys, and through the patient's PC or iPad. Participants' answers are instantly shared with the Patient Rights and Relations General Department.
As his statement drew to a close, Dr. al-Rabeeah pointed out that the cost of purchasing of the hospitalization service for chronic cases over this year is SR 40 million. It is intended to alleviate pressure on Riyadh's hospitals. And the same service is currently proposed to be applied at the other regions, as planned. Not to forget the electronic program that has been developed for employment through self-employment, thus ensuring fairness and justice and impartiality. The program has already proved useful over this year in the transfer of staff from one region to another electronically.