JEDDAH, 3 February 2008 — Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah stated yesterday that the government would leave no stone unturned to strengthen the health sector.
“Nothing is expensive when it comes to people’s health,” the king said, emphasizing the government’s readiness to meet the requirements of the health sector regardless of cost.
King Abdullah made this comment after receiving World Health Organization’s (WHO) shield in appreciation of his efforts to combat smoking and for declaring Makkah and Madinah as tobacco-free cities.
Health Minister Dr. Hamad Al-Manie presented the shield to the king during a reception at Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh, the Saudi Press Agency said. Top health officials including those in the private sector attended the ceremony.
“There is nothing impossible and nothing expensive for you,” the king told the health officials. “You can tell me anything you want (for the betterment of this sector) and I will accept it with an open mind for the welfare of the Saudi people,” he added.
Speaking at the reception, Al-Manie underscored the Kingdom’s efforts to provide advanced health care to its citizens and residents.
“Saudi Arabia has become a humanitarian Kingdom as its medical facilities have received people from Asia, Africa and lately from Europe, without differentiating them in accordance with nationality, color and creed,” the minister said.
He praised the king for his endeavors to combat tobacco in the Kingdom in a cultural and professional manner, enlightening the public on the dangerous effects of smoking and providing them with necessary treatment to quit the unhealthy habit.
Al-Manie said Saudi Arabia has achieved a prominent position in health care, including in open-heart surgery. Dr. Zuhair Yousuf Al-Helais, a Saudi, has conducted over 15,000 open-heart surgeries.
During the ceremony, King Abdullah honored Dr. Al-Helais by conferring on him the King Abdul Aziz Medal of the First Order in appreciation of his achievements being a world famous open-heart surgeon. “This is an honor from Saudi people,” the king told Al-Helais while presenting the medal.
Saudi Arabia, where a considerable number of people smoke, has launched a strident campaign against tobacco. Dr. Abdullah Al-Badah, supervisor of the Anti-Smoking Program at the Health Ministry, has called for increasing tariff on tobacco imports from 100 to 200 percent. “Imposing higher import tariff is the best way to cut down tobacco consumption,” Al-Badah said.
