The Director General of Training and Scholarships at the Ministry of Health (MOH), Dr. Afaf bent Ahmed al-Tuweijri, has revealed that the Ministry is among the institutions that pay utmost attention to training and scholarships. Over the last year, a total of 154.155 MOH employees of both genders were on training and scholarships.
She pointed out that the Ministry has shown keen interest in the development of manpower, emanating from the fact that manpower represents the main pillar for providing preventive, curative and educational health services, that are commensurate with the successive developments in the medical domain, and with the Ministry's mission: “providing all levels of health care, promoting public health, and prevention of diseases.”
According to Dr. al-Tuweijri, the Ministry, represented by the Training and Scholarships General Department, draws upon two main pillars: qualification and training. Under qualification are scholarships (domestic and overseas), and under training are the training activities and developmental programs targeting the MOH staff (both health and administrative workers).
In a press statement, al-Tuweijri mentioned that, as regards the domestic and overseas scholarships, the Training and Scholarships General Department looks forward to satisfying the MOH's demands of specialized, qualified health calibers, as well as the Saudization of positions according to an annual plan based upon the actual needs of the MOH facilities. In 1434H, the total number of those who were on overseas scholarships is 1.189, of whom 368 are physicians, and 821 are non-physicians. Moving on to domestic scholarships, the total number mounted to 3.958, of whom 2.300 are physicians, and 1.658 are non-physicians. It is noted that domestic Bridging Program (Tajseer), through which those holding a diploma are granted a scholarship to obtain a Bachelor's degree in the same specialty, which was adopted in 1433H, was the reason behind the boost of those on domestic scholarships, and the decline of those who are on non-physician scholarships.
“The number of those on scholarships under the Bridging Program is 1.273,” added Dr. al-Tuweijri. “Out of them, 933 are specialized in nursing, 160 in laboratories, 53 in physiotherapy, and 40 in diagnostic radiology.”
She further expounded that the Ministry has embarked on the Bridging Program since 1433H, in collaboration with 14 universities. It covers 12 specialties. The nursing program is offered by 12 universities, whereas the pharmacy program is offered by 8 universities. Eight universities offer the laboratories program, two provide the radiology program, two offer physiotherapy, and one university offer the programs of nutrition, dentistry, and medical technology.
Over and above, al-Tuweijri drew attention to the MOH's main training center, which organizes a host of training programs and activities in coordination with the Ministry's general departments, based on the training demands of these departments. The total number of trainees in 1434H mounted to 147.735. Also, a total of 22.137 continuing medical education hours were accredited. The number of technical skills development centers was 32 centers, accredited by the Saudi Heart Association with the aim of organizing life promotion programs, specialized skills development courses, and BLS courses, which help health professionals renew their registration certificates at the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCHS). In addition, agreements were signed with a number of the scientific specialized associations, for the purpose of training health calibers in several training courses. The Training and Scholarships General department is looking forward to the accreditation of at least ten programs by all centers by the advent of 1441H. The number of trainees in these programs in 1434H was 42.855.
So far as the Ministry's efforts in administrative training are concerned, Dr. Afaf al-Tuweijri made clear that the Training and Scholarships General Department places a particular emphasis on administrative training, through the training programs organized by the Kingdom's specialized bodies and institutes. The number of administrative employees who received training during 1434H is 8.456 at the High Institute of Public Administration, and 321 at the Saudi Organization for Certified Public Accountants (SOCPA). That is to be added to 1.861 trainees at the e-Government Program (Yesser), 650 trainees at the Health Electronic Surveillance Network (HESN), and 68 trainees at the English Language Education Programs, not to forget the oversees training programs and conferences. Overseas training includes short and specialized courses (developmental programs) ranging from two to six months. They are available for health and administrative calibers (individuals and groups). Besides, the Ministry's helps consultant physicians participate in overseas conferences.
Al-Tuweijri went on to say that the developmental training programs are aimed to promote the efficiency and improving the training quality in specific domains. One of these programs is that which has to do with the training the holders of health diplomas. Underway is the work on developing the course for trainees as competent, as well as the lectures, and preparing a book for the trainer and trainee. Another program is the Online Library, meant to provide credible, evidence-based scientific sources for all health professionals, thus reducing arbitrary medical behaviors, and maintaining patient safety, by means of unifying and consolidating efforts and prompting cooperative work.
Still another program is meant for preparing leaders, involving the strategic plan for training through 'simulation'. Its major target resides in developing and applying an integrated methodology for training by simulation at the MOH's specialized centers that are established with the aim of promoting and advancing the infrastructure of such centers, and ensuring academic accreditation for them. That is to be added to attracting and qualifying specialized calibers, and utilizing training materials and systemic evaluation methods. In addition to that, there is a Conference Support Unit, for preparing the conferences and symposia organized by the Ministry of Health, as well as consolidating efforts, and forming scientific and organizational committees, let along providing logistic support, and designing and formatting publications, aside from providing the supportive services for speakers and attendees of conferences.
As her statement drew to a close, Dr. Afaf al-Tuweijri affirmed that the Training and Scholarship General Department takes as its target transformation into e-government in all transactions, by means of developing an integrated e-program for domestic and overseas scholarships, the Learning Management System, E-Training and the Online Library.