His Royal Highness the Governor of Riyadh, Prince Turki bin Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, underlined the importance of development and advancement in the medical field, which attracts care and concern of the Saudi rulers, in light of the comprehensive advancement and cultural renaissance which the Kingdom witnesses in all infrastructures and services.
While launching yesterday (Tuesday) a number of health projects in Riyadh, Prince Turki turned attention to the medical and administrative projects carried by the Ministry of Health (MOH) according to its strategic plans aiming at developing the system and achieving high-quality health services.
Within the same vein, the Governor of Riyadh shed light on the projects carried by the MOH, including five medical cities, as well as the expansion of a number of medical cities to accommodate 6,200 clinical beds, in addition to establishing and operating 79 general and specialized hospitals.
Additionally, Prince Turki said that the MOH's programs enabled the ministry to provide more healthcare services, such as the Home Medicine Program, which benefits more than 33,000 patients, as well as the Medical Team Follow-up Program and the Visiting Physician Program. He underlined that the number of those who were recruited to work in these programs on temporary bases reached more than three thousand consultant physicians from around the world, who are specialized in different subspecialties. All of them were distributed to more than 50 cities in the Kingdom.
Concluding his speech, Prince Turki went on to pray for Almighty Allah, to perpetuate for this country its security, stability and prosperity.
For his part, His Excellency the Minister of Health, Dr. Mohamed bin Ali Alhayaza, has extended his thanks to His Royal Highness the Governor of Riyadh, Prince Turki bin Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, for launching these new health projects, turning attention to the support that the health sector receives from the government of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and His Royal Highness the Deputy Crown Prince, May Allah bless them, who spare no efforts to provide the best healthcare services for citizens throughout the Kingdom.
Dr. Alhayaza pointed out that several healthcare projects are now constructed in Riyadh region, explaining that the ministry will launch more developmental programs as part of its endeavors to provide the best health services that meet the best standards and ensure comfort for beneficiaries.
Meanwhile, Dr. Alhayaza emphasized that the ministry is very keen to see its entire medical and administrative staff up to the responsibility in line with the highest scientific and applied levels.
All the more, Dr. Alhayaza revealed that the ministry is going to launch urgent programs to reduce waiting lists at the emergency units and some difficult operations, as well as other immediate plans to reduce waiting lists of the ministry's visitors. "Other projects will be launched this year with the aim of increasing the bed capacity of Riyadh hospitals," according to the minister.
It is worth mentioning here that the Governor of Riyadh launched al-Muzahimiyah General Hospital, with a capacity of 50 beds and a total cost of over SR 60 million, as well as al-Artawiyah Hospital with a capacity of 50 beds and a total cost of SR 60 million, as well as 42 healthcare centers in the region with a total cost of more than SR 200 million.
The projects included also a number of e-programs and systems, such as the Referral System, which connects primary healthcare centers with the reference hospitals, and the Nutrition System, which follows up and evaluates nutritional services in the hospitals of Riyadh to ensure their quality and measure the level of patient's satisfaction regarding the meals provided for them while being hospitalized.
The Governor of Riyadh toured the inauguration-accompanying exhibition at the Government Palace in Riyadh, where he listened to an elaborate account from the Director General of Riyadh Health Affairs Directorate, Dr. Adnan bin Suleiman Al-Abdulkarim, about the hospitals, healthcare centers and the level of curative, preventive and awareness services provided for citizens in the affiliated provinces and centers.
Dr. Al-Abdulkarim said that the new health facilities are highly equipped and supported with experienced medical cadres, including consultants, specialists, technicians, in addition to nursing, administrative and supportive services staff.
Meanwhile, Price Turki made a video call with the governors of al-Muzahimiyah, al-Artawiyah and the medical staff of the hospitals of the two provinces to congratulate them on the opening of the hospitals, casting light on the support and comprehensive attention the health sector in Riyadh receives from the government of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and His Royal Highness the Deputy Crown Prince - May Allah bless them.
On their part, the governors and the medical staff extended their thanks to His Royal Highness Prince Turki for his support and keenness on providing the best healthcare services in all parts of Riyadh, affirming that such support embodies the rulers' keenness to maintain the health of citizens and residents alike and their interest in harnessing all medical capabilities.
For his part, the President of the Appeals Court in Riyadh, His Excellency Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Salih Al-Hamid, delivered a speech, saying that the health services are a great responsibility and that health is grace bestowed by Allah upon his slaves to enable them to worship, learn, manufacture and achieve economic development.
It is worth noting here that the reception ceremony was attended by the Special Adviser to Riyadh Governor, Mr. Sahmi bin Showaimi bin Fawiz, who serves also as the Supervisor General of Riyadh Governor's office, as well as the Deputy Governor of Riyadh, Mr. Abdullah bin Majdou' Al-Qarni and the assistant deputies and general directors.