The Ministry of Health (MOH) revealed its plan to establish 5 obesity centers; including two centers in Riyadh and three centers in Jeddah, Dammam and Asir; in an endeavor to be a fundamental reference for the treatment of obesity, through providing the best therapeutic avenues, that are suitable for different cases all over the Kingdom.
The MOH Deputy Minister for Therapeutic Services, Dr. Abdul Aziz Al-Hemaidi, has pointed out that MOH is currently developing the work plans and policies needed for these centers, as it intends to put them forward in the coming MOH budget in 1436/1437 H; in order to contribute to the treatment of many or even the rare cases of obesity, instead of travelling abroad in pursuit of treatment, because of the difficulty and risk of transferring these cases.
Within the same vein, Dr. Hemaidi highlighted that these obesity centers will provide the clinical examination and medical checkup, to identify the causes of obesity, as well as conducting the various lab tests, aside from providing all the special devices, that are commensurate with the different cases of obese patients, and fit their different sizes, overweights and even the rare cases of them. Furthermore, Dr. Al-Hemaidi also stated that the centers will provide many special medical devices, such as medical cranes and beds to bear overweight, in addition to wheelchairs designed for all obese patients, and which are commensurate with their size and weight.
Dr. Al-Hemaidi went on adding that the centers will fullyprovide all therapeutic services needed for obese patients, through successive phases, so as to maintain the patient’s health during the weight loss process. Moreover, these centers will also develop nutritional, behavioral and exercise programs, which are appropriate for each case separately.
Within the same vein, Dr. Al-Hemaidi underscored that the Ministry of Health is always keen to provide comprehensive and integrated health care for all patients, including obese patients. Therefore, it seeks, through these centers, to hire and make benefit of the best consultants in the obesity field, including consultants in binoculars and internal medicine, and specialists in behavioral therapy, nutrition and exercise; so as to provide the various methods and approaches, that are globally adopted to treat obesity. Dr. Al-Hemaidi has further added that the centers will provide all solutions and options to suit all cases, in addition to conducting obesity surgeries with the latest technology in the operation rooms, designed specifically for this category of patients.
It is worth mentioning that the Kingdom has a high rate of obesity cases, which may be up to 40%, especially in the (10-25) age group, the matter requiring concerted awareness efforts from different health, nutrition and education sectors; in an endeavor to reduce obesity and warn people of its dangers. That is to be added to the family role and their cooperation, both with respect to dietary guidelines, exercise or physical activity.