According to the Eastern Health Affairs, the management of Baqiq General Hopsital and its Centers have activated, since the beginning of this month, the mental counseling clinics at Fouda and Airport Primary Healthcare Centers, covering 3,000 and 12,000 peoples respectively. At the beginning of this month, Fouda Center started receiving outpatients on Mondays, whereas Airport Center on Thursdays, weekly. Also, the two centers receive all referrals form Baqiq sector's health centers.
“The objective of activating this clinic, staffed with well-trained doctors and nurses, is to enhance the mental health programs at the primary healthcare centers. The counseling clinic is designed to deal with depression and anxiety cases early and handle detected cases quickly before referring them to the Emergency of Al-Amal Complex for Mental Health-Dammam.” added the Affairs.
On the other hand, over the past week, the 937-Service Center handled 4,375 notifications, including 194 hospital transfer requests. The Center also provided 16,345 medical consultations, and received 36,608 incoming calls, including 14, 371 inquiries and 1, 323 requests for smoking cessation treatment.
The Center provides a range of distinctive services, including inquiries about MOH’s services, outgoing and incoming transactions, health services, medical consultations, and hospital transfer requests based on the medical need, in addition to complaints against public and private health facilities. Also, the center receives all patients’ health-related calls, all complaints 24/7, and refers them to the concerned departments at MOH or its branches, as well as all emergency calls; thus, serving as a listening ear for patients to identify their needs and requirements and to meet them.
It is worth mentioning that the 937-Service Center is one of the most important MOH’s initiatives. It aims to provide medical services through its toll-free number, which can be accessed throughout the Kingdom. The center operates based on listening, response, implementation, and analysis. The performance of regional Health Affairs is evaluated by closing citizens' reports and their satisfaction with the services provided. This assessment is published weekly and directly supervised by the Minister of Health.