His Excellency the Minister of Health and Chairman of Saudi Aramco Board of Directors, Eng. Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al-Falih, highlighted that “quality isn’t just strategic choice, but an urgent national necessity as well.” This came during his opening statement under the title: "From Quality Management to Sustainable Excellence".

 

The Minister delivered his address today (Wednesday) morning, as part of the second day events of the 5th National Quality Conference. The three-day conference is organized by the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO) at Riyadh InterContinental Hotel, over the period from October 13th-15th, 2015.  

 

 Al-Falih said, "The outlook of the 21st century world is so much akin to a racing track. It is a world characterized by major challenges, innovative opportunities, fast tempo and complexity. When it comes to quality standards, today’s world is like a ceiling to which the competitors of yesterday have long been aspiring." He added that, “the private sector, governmental and semi-governmental institutions, and even non-profit institutions are all competing with one another, notwithstanding the bridges of cooperation they have among them. Likewise, countries compete with each other in their quest for leadership, and to manifest themselves as major international players able to partake in outlining the world future. In a similar fashion, competition is always present among the various institutions of the same country.” That said, al-Falih highlighted that he and his colleagues look forward to seeing the Ministry of Health (MOH) providing the best services, and standing out as a pioneer ministry amongst the other KSA ministries. 

 

In accordance with the Royal vision for the Quality National Strategy Project: "To make the Kingdom, through its products and services, a global benchmark for quality by 2020," Al-Falih confirmed that the Kingdom is in need of accelerating the pace of development to move from a stage where economy is dependent on abundance of natural resources, to a stage where economy could depend on the efficiency of production and service, leading the way up to the stage of diversified and internationally competitive economy. 

 

Towards the end of his speech, the Minister shed light on his ambitions for the health sector in the Kingdom. “Challenges are tough,” he said, “but still we have all potentials for success and global leadership.” He mentioned that the KSA health sector is such a huge edifice, made up of several medical cities and hundreds of hospitals and primary healthcare centers in all cities and villages across the Kingdom, offering their services to millions of beneficiaries annually. "We do our best to boost quality management of the health services provided by the MOH, and all other health sectors as well," al-Falih added. In this regard, he pointed out to the Saudi Central Board for Accreditation of Healthcare Institutions (CBAHI) which aims at upgrading the quality of health services. He also mentioned that there are health institutions maintaining world-class quality, like King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center (KFSH&RC), now regarded as incubator of many wonderful achievements. 

 

He noted that the MOH is working to develop a long-term strategy centered on excellence. “If we look at the health services market and trends of supply and demand from a comprehensive national point of view,” he emphasized, “we will come to the conclusion that indicators are very promising.” He hoped that, during the coming years, the citizens will witness a discernible qualitative leap in this vital sector, based on national competences, deemed to be source of national pride.