A team of Saudi specialists and consultants at the Obesity Treatment Center of King Abdulaziz Specialist Hospital- Al-Jouf, since its inauguration two years ago, has successfully performed 188 sleeve gastrectomy procedures to treat morbid obesity without any complications, thank Allah. The center receives several scheduled cases, and over the past two months has successfully performed 30 sleeve gastrectomy procedures.
It is noted that the 300-bed-hospital witnesses continuous development with the inauguration of specialized centers, expansion of delicate specialties and attracting competencies to operate them. During last December, the hospital performed 81 surgeries including quality and specialized surgeries, for the first time in the region.
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.