Thirty-five Saudi patients are to receive overseas medical treatment in eight countries on the orders of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah, a senior official from the Ministry of Health said Saturday.
Mishal Abdullah Al-Mishal, general director of the Medical Authorities and Medical Attaches, said the High Medical Commission gave the green light for the patients to be treated abroad and it has also approved another group of 46 patients for treatment inside the Kingdom since the needed facilities and services are available in the country.
Twelve patients have been referred to hospitals in the United States, 10 in Germany, five in France, three in the United Kingdom, two in Jordan and one patient each in Spain, Belgium and China.
The Kingdom spent more than SR1 billion to treat 4,723 Saudi patients abroad in 1434H. The United States remains the top destination for medical treatment followed by Germany and the United Kingdom, he pointed out.
Al-Mishal said a patient is treated abroad either on the order of the king or a recommendation made by the High Medical Commission, which deals with complicated medical cases.
Members of the commission are representatives of various health departments such as the medical services department at the Ministry of Defense, the department of health affairs at the Ministry of National Guard, the medical services department at the Ministry of Interior, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, university hospitals and the Ministry of Health.
He said there is no ceiling on overseas medical allocations and all deserving patients are given the needed opportunity for medical treatment abroad.
He explained that there are 18 medical committees spread throughout the Kingdom to deal with such cases. The Kingdom has also appointed three attachés in the United States, Germany and the United Kingdom.
Earlier last year, the Council of Ministers allocated SR600 per day for Saudis receiving medical treatment and those accompanying them outside the Kingdom. The council also allocated SR300 per day for those being treated inside the Kingdom.
Patients, including children, referred for treatment outside the Kingdom, are given financial assistance amounting to SR300 per day, for whoever is treated outside of hospital.
The official said patients considered for treatment abroad are people whose diseases cannot be treated in the Kingdom. He said the respective doctors should certify that treatment for such patients is not available in the Kingdom.
The Saudi missions abroad have been instructed to identify the right hospitals for overseas treatment and the patients are informed accordingly, Al-Mishal said.
King Abdullah has directed the Ministry of Health to provide the best possible health care services to citizens both in and out of the Kingdom. To help meet the king’s expectations, the High Medical Commission has been assigned to assist and coordinate with such patients.
He explained that the process of referring cases for treatment abroad involves studying each case objectively, scientifically, practically and fairly to reach the right decision, bearing in mind the patient’s interests.
The commission also communicates with physicians in the Kingdom to discuss cases subjectively. X-rays, CDs and laboratory results are studied in order to determine a treatment plan, after which a statement is issued as to whether or not patients will be granted treatment abroad at government expense.
He pointed out that the MoH facilitates visas and arranges transport for patients and their companions by commercial or medical evacuation aircraft.
35 patients selected for overseas treatment
