The Ministry of Health (MOH) and the Committee for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice (CPVPV) signed today a memorandum of cooperation aimed at strengthening the mutual efforts in the field of serving the community and achieving the integration that meets the aspirations of the rulers, May Allah protect them; that is to be added to spreading and uprooting the objectives of each organizations in the light of the teachings of Islam.
The memorandum was signed by His Excellency the Minister of Health Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Rabeeah and His Excellency the Head of the Commission Sheikh Abdul-Latif Abdulaziz Al Sheikh at the MOH headquarters in Riyadh. The event was attended by a number of senior officials from both sides.
It is worth mentioning that the terms of the agreement focus on the activities that serve the community and spread the principles of moderation. The agreement targets also promoting the values and ethics, prohibiting certain phenomena and behaviors and launching training programs; that is to be added holding of workshops that are coherent with the regulations and laws of both organizations.
Within the same vein, Dr. Al-Rabeeah expressed appreciation for Al Sheikh's initiative and valued the deeply-rooted cooperation between the two sides, saying that the agreement sheds light on every party's right to benefit from the capabilities of the other party in such a manner that serves the public interest. This comes within the directives of the Custodian of the two Holy Mosques, as well as the Crown Prince and the Second Deputy Prime Minister, May Allah protect them.
Furthermore, Dr. Al-Rabeeah said that the Kingdom's regions and governorates have witnessed a dynamic health movement and renaissance during the past few years, pointing out that the number of MOH employees has reached more than 200,000 male/female employees. Dr. Al-Rabeeah also noted that the MOH has adopted a strategy for the next ten years that meets the citizens' needs of health services and develops health systems. The National Project for Integrated and Comprehensive Healthcare was carried out as well upon the directives of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, may Allah protect him, who places a particular emphasis on citizens' health and meeting their needs.
The Health Minister said also that the MOH is currently building 140 hospitals and five medical cities to cover all areas, adding that the population density, geographical distance and official statistics are taken into account while building such projects.
Dr. Al-Rabeeah went on adding that the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques has adopted a new approach in the construction of medical cities so that the reference hospitals not to be established only in the capital city and major regions. Dr. Al-Rabeeah highlighted that a plan was set to build two medical cities in the southern and northern regions and a huge medical city in the western region to meet the citizens' needs. The new medical city is located between Makkah and Jeddah on an area of approximately 3.5 million square meters. It is one of the largest medical cities in the Kingdom.
“A similar medical city will be offered for tenders in the Eastern Region very soon,” Dr. A;-Rabeeah said.
Finally, Dr. Al-Rabeeah underscored that the Ministry is currently building over 1,500 primary healthcare centers in the regions of the Kingdom. At least 75 health facilities belonging to the Ministry have been approved by international and national bodies.
For his part, His Excellency Sheikh Abdul-Latif Al Sheikh has praised the MOH's significant role in maintaining the safety and health of citizens, saying “This agreement will play an integral role between the two sides and will have a positive impact on the services provided for the homeland and citizens”.
Moreover, Al Sheikh highlighted that the agreement is a great opportunity for the exchange of scientific knowledge between the two sides, in particular research and studies.
Al Sheikh mentioned also that the agreement focuses on community services and gives both sides the opportunity to launch more events in such a manner that promotes the culture of dialogue with the community and shares their messages and tasks.
Within the same vein, Al Sheikh shed light on some developmental steps taking place in the Commission, saying that courses in Islamic teachings and administrative works are periodically given for the employees. Al Sheikh also noted that new departments were established to support human rights and counter extortion and sorcery. Units were developed, as well, to combat alcohol and cyber crimes.
Finally, Al Sheikh stressed the need to raise citizens' awareness on the side effects of alcohol, noting that alcoholism causes severe diseases such as blindness, liver damage, and others. Al Sheikh said that the Commission has seized more than 700 wine stores within a year and a few months.