The Minster of Health, Dr. Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah has honored, at his office today (Monday) morning, members of oncology service development committee across the Kingdom in appreciation of their efforts and achievements in this field.
According to the Ministry of Health (MOH), the number of oncology treatment centers and units have been increased from 9 centers in 2017 to 17 centers in 2019, an increase of 88.8%. During the same period, the number of oncology beds increased from 389 to 546 beds, or 40.3%, and the manpower from 723 to 1,043, or 44.2%.
It pointed out that the stem cell transplantation centers and units have increased from 1 center in 2017 to 5 centers in 2019, or an increase of 400%, and pediatric oncology centers and units have increased from 4 to 5 centers, or 25% during the same period.
It added that the oncology drug manual has been unified to ensure availability of therapeutic protocols and medications in all hospitals and centers, and the updated copy of the manual will be released in accordance with the international standards. It confirmed that the oncology drugs are available in all medical centers by 93% compared to 71% in 2018, at an increase rate of 22%, adding that a number of transformation initiatives were launched to improve the oncology treatment services, including hospital twining, developing stem cell transplantation initiative, and supporting scientific research.