Health care ‘basic right’ of Saudi citizens

RIYADH: Minister of Health Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah said health care is a basic right of Saudi citizens and that the ministry should respond to the new requirements and the growing number of medical service seekers.
The minister said a series of health contracts worth SR 4 billion have been signed for implementation and expansion of health services for Saudi citizens kingdomwide.
These projects come to meet such needs and alleviate burdens on some hospitals, he said. The ministry has long-term strategy aimed at providing quality health services to citizens in cooperation with private sector firms.
The ministry has expanded the health education programs from just five colleges and schools to 27 and, further, increased the number of physicians, nurses and medical practitioners on scholarship basis so as to qualify and empower them run these hospitals and medical centers, he pointed out.
He said the health insurance system was debated at the Council of Ministers and Shoura Council aimed at applying a suitable health insurance principle whereby proper and real health services could be provided to citizens.
The minister stressed the importance of health awareness and preventative programs and their role in minimizing pressures on hospitals. Riyadh will, in the coming few months, host a specialized conference on health awareness in cooperation with concerned departments and organizations meant to boost preventive programs and change negative behavior patterns for a better and healthy life of citizens or residents.
The contracts signed by Al-Rabeeah yesterday included a 500-bed specialist hospital in Jazan (at a cost of SR 719 million), a 400-bed maternity and children’s hospital in Jeddah (SR 378 million), first phase of Prince Muhammad Medical City in the Northern Border Province (SR 585 million), a 300-bed Meeqat Hospital in Madinah (SR 416 million), and a 200-bed Jamoom Hospital (SR 225 million).
Al-Rabeeah said tenders would be invited soon to build the King Faisal Specialist Hospital in Jeddah and King Abdullah Medical City in Makkah, ordered by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah.
Other projects for which contracts have been signed were: King Faisal Medical City in the Southern Province, Prince Muhammad Medical City in the Northern Province, a 200-bed Rijal Al-Mae Hospital, a 300-bed Khamis Mushayt Hospital and a 200-bed Darb Hospital.
A contract worth SR 60.5 million was signed for the management of King Faisal and Prince Muhammad cities. “Another contract valued at SR 873.48 million was signed for building and furnishing 440 health centers in various parts of the Kingdom,” the SPA said quoting the minister.