Tabuk Health Affairs continues its developmental projects in many hospitals of the region, which positively reduced patient referral to reference hospitals in Tabuk last year (1438H.), including laparoscopic procedures. According to statistics disseminated by Umloj Hospital, the referral of urology patients was reduced from 70% in 1437H. to 30% in 1438H. Also, referred thoracic patients were reduced from 79% in 1437H. to 31% in 1438H., besides other medical specialties. Similarly, in Tayma Hospital, patient referral to reference hospitals in Tabuk has been reduced by 10-40% in several medical specialties, including orthopedics, internal medicine and neurology.
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.