In its meeting held last Monday, the High Medical Commission approved of sending 35 cases for treatment abroad, in USA, Germany, France, Spain, Birtain, and Belgium, in addition to China and Jordan.
The Director General of Medical Commissions and Health Attachés at the Ministry of Health (MOH), Dr. Mesh'al Abudullah al-Mesh'al, pointed out that the USA shall receive the highest proportion of patients sent for treatment abroad (12 cases), followed by Germany (10 cases), then France (5 cases), Britain (3 cases), Jordan (2 cases), and then Spain, Belgium and China (one case each).
“In addition,” Dr. al-Mesh'al continued, “the Commission approved of extending the duration treatment for 39 cases in the USA, and 15 cases in Germany. And right now, there are other cases whose situation is being examined through their medical reports. In this spirit, the medical reports of 24 cases have been sent to the USA and China to see whether they can be sent for treatment there. In addition, the medical reports of one case have been sent to Europe for the same reason. Moreover, the Commission referred 46 cases to Saudi hospitals, since treatment is available domestically, and hence need not be sent abroad for treatment.”
Al-Mesh'al further expounded that there is no preset financial maximum for any of the citizens sent abroad for treatment; which reflects the keen interest shown by the Government of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, may Allah protect him, to Saudis, and its immense concern about their health and wellbeing. All the cases referred to be treated abroad, according to al-Mesh'al, are based on Royal orders towards sending those cases to such countries as the USA, Britain, Germany and China.
He mentioned, furthermore, that the delay of sending some patients for treatment abroad is due to the difficulty of getting appointments from the medical centers, given the scarcity of some specialties, in addition to the scarcity of the centers in which the treatment of such rare diseases is available. The Ministry contacts all the centers in which the treatment of the patient in question is available, and the center which responds first shall receive the patient. He also made clear that patients travel procedures, along with his radiographs, medical reports, passports, etc., are all accomplished in a relatively period of time not exceeding ten days.
“The patient or his family shall receive letters from the region's general medical commission to the relevant embassies, showing the hospital appointment, so as to accomplish the visa procedures as soon as possible, whereas the Ministry of Health assumes the boarding procedures,” al-Mesh'al said.
“The Ministry has 18 general medical commissions distributed to the Kingdom's regions, in addition to 3 medical attachés in the USA, UK and Germany,” he continued. “The Ministry is committed to providing health care services for those in need, in accordance with the medical norms and the applied rules and regulations related to treatment, whether within or without the Kingdom. To tell the truth, the Ministry is adopting a certain approach that achieves justice and equality among Saudis. The patient's health situation and the objective medical opinion are the only criterion taken into account.”
It is noteworthy, the cases that need to be sent abroad for treatment shall be studied by the High Medical Commission, which is independent, and enjoys a legal personality, pursuant to the Royal Decree no. 8766/B, dated 15/6/1417H, and its work is regulated by the Royal Decree no. 4700/B, dated 8/5/1430H, which “asserts examining all the cases which we refer to the Ministry of Health, in order for the High Medical Commission to study such cases.” The High Medical Commission is comprised of the Kingdom's health sectors, namely, the Ministry of Health (MOH), the Ministry of Defense and Aviation, the Ministry of Interior (MOI), the National Guard, Kind Saud University, and King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center. The Commission, being formed of all such bodies, is thus fully aware of the capabilities of the Kingdom's referential specialist hospitals.
Accordingly, the MOH's role is limited to following up the cases formerly approved by the High Medical Commission to receive treatment abroad. It takes the necessary actions that would facilitate and accelerate ensuring the visas for the patient and his/her companion to the intended country, where the patient will be treated. He will be transported by air, either by commercial planes or medical evacuation aircrafts if need be.