Infection control program turns out first graduates

The first class of 51 male and female Saudi graduates specializing in infection control graduated in a ceremony held at the auditorium of the Ministry of Health’s headquarters in Riyadh on Tuesday.
Mohammed Hamza Khosheim, deputy minister for planning and development, and Ashraf Ismail, representative from the US-based Joint Commission International (JCI), attended the graduation ceremony, which was held under the patronage of the Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, the minister of health.
Khosheim said the issue of infection control is a major concern for most of the world’s hospitals, as patients develop fatal diseases in some instances due to bacterial infection. He also pointed out that the new graduates would make a useful contribution toward reducing the percentage of wound contamination, transmission of bacteria from person to person and possible inflammation.
Khosheim emphasized that the graduates acquired high-level skills and expertise, which are in par with the standards maintained in reputed hospitals across the United States. He also recalled that the ministry, in collaboration with US hospitals, was able to bring highly qualified trainers to educate the first group of students.
The graduates completed their internships in hospitals such as the King Faisal Specialist Hospital in Riyadh and Jeddah, King Fahd Medical City in Riyadh, King Fahd Hospital in Jeddah and the King Fahad Specialist Hospital in Dammam.
The ministry has 15 JCI-accredited hospitals throughout the Kingdom, he said, thanking Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah and Crown Prince Salman, deputy premier and minister of defense, for their cooperation to boost the country’s health services.
“The ministry is currently building some 138 hospitals, which would provide 35,000 more beds to cater to the growing population. Around 1,400 students go for medical studies abroad and another 2,000 delegates study in the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties programs,” he added. Besides these programs, he said that around 135,000 health ministry employees are trained every year in various disciplines.
Earlier, the Executive Board of the GCC Health Ministers Council commended Al-Rabeeah and his ministry for their supportive role in encouraging a greater number of Saudi hospitals to earn the JCI certificate.
“The achievement is a source of pride for the Kingdom and an example to be followed by GCC, Arab and Middle Eastern countries,” Dr. Tawfik Khoja said, adding that the achievement reflects the realistic approach the Ministry of Health is carrying out to provide an excellent level of health, curative and preventive services and a sound working environment.
Khoja said that the certification program at the Ministry of Health, which aims for quality improvement in hospitals, represents a major step in tailoring health services for citizens and residents in the Kingdom. In addition, he said, it also creates healthy competition among health providers to offer optimal services to beneficiaries.
Al-Rabeeah recently honored a number of hospitals that have rendered outstanding services in compliance with their affiliation to the US-based Joint Commission International (JCI) for the adoption of health facilities.
JCI-accredited hospitals that were honored included King Khalid Eye Specialist Hospital in Riyadh, Saud Babtain Cardiac Center in Dammam, King Fahd Specialist Hospital in Dammam, King Fahd Medical City in Riyadh, Ajyad Hospital in Makkah, Hira General Hospital in Makkah, King Abdulaziz Hospital in Taif, King Saud Hospital in Unaizah and King Fahd Hospital in Jeddah.
The Joint Commission International (JCI) has been working with healthcare organizations, ministries of health and global organizations in over 80 countries since 1994.
JCI’s prime focus is on improving the safety of patient care through the provision of accreditation and certification services, as well as through advisory and educational services aimed at helping organizations implement practical and sustainable solutions.