During its last meeting, the High Medical Commission has approved the decision referring 44 patients for treatment abroad, including USA, Germany, France, Britain and Singapore.
The Director General of the Medical Commission and Health Attaché at the Ministry of Health (MOH), Dr. Mash'al bin Abdullah Al-Mash'al, has pointed out that most cases “totaling 18” have been refereed for treatment in Germany, while ten cases referred to USA, four cases referred to Britain, four cases referred to Jordan, two cases referred to France and Pakistan and one case referred to each of Singapore, Egypt, Austria, Switzerland and the Philippines.
“The High Medical Commission has also approved the decision extending the treatment of 26 cases in USA and 6 cases in Germany; that is to be added to other cases whose medical reports are being reviewed. Besides, the medical reports of 35 cases have been sent to China and the reports of six cases sent to USA, as well as the reports of two cases sent to Germany; for determining the possibility of their treatment there”, announced Dr. Al-Mash‘al.
He went on adding that the commission has referred 23 cases for treatment inside the Kingdom as their health conditions do not require treatment abroad, May Allah be praised.
Within the same vein, Dr. Al-Mash‘al has highlighted that there is no cost limit for any cases referred for treatment abroad, the matter which reflects the interest of the Government of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques in the health of citizens, as well as its keenness on their safety and providing the health care for them. Moreover, Dr. Al-Mash‘al underscored that the approval procedures of the patient to travel abroad are to be finished within a brief period of not more than ten days, once all medical reports, x-rays, and other attachments of reports, passports and documents are completed.
It is worth mentioning that those cases, in need of treatment abroad, are reviewed by the High Medical Commission, which acts as an independent and accredited authority, pursuant to the Royal Decree No. (8766/B), dated 28th October, 1998 (corresponding to 15th Jumada Al-Akher, 1417 H), and the Royal Decree No. (4700/B), dated 3rd May, 2009 (corresponding to 8th Jumada Al-Oula, 1430 H). These decrees stipulate that the High Medical Commission is entrusted to review all cases referred to the Ministry of Health (MOH) for treatment abroad.
The High Medical Commission is composed of the health sectors in the Kingdom, including: the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Defense and Aviation, the Ministry of Interior, the National Guard, King Saud University and King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center. Thus, this commission is fully aware of all the available capabilities of the specialized referential hospitals in the Kingdom.
Furthermore, the role of the Ministry of Health is limited to following up the cases that have been approved by the aforementioned commission, according to their place of residence. The MOH is further to facilitate the required procedures of visas for patients and their companions, and arrange their travel either by commercial or medical evacuation aircrafts, according to their health conditions.