Political slogans have ‘no place in Haj’

JEDDAH: Prince Khaled bin Faisal bin Turki, undersecretary of the National Guard for the western region, said the role of the National Guard is to provide excellent services to pilgrims with the cooperation of the ministries of Interior and Health.
“The government of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah did its utmost to ensure pilgrims can perform the rituals at ease, and disturbance from anyone will be unacceptable. Haj sites are not the place for political or religious slogans,” said the prince.
He said the National Guard, which plays an important role in spreading awareness and guidance, was proud to provide services to the pilgrims.
Prince Khaled’s statement came on the occasion of the inauguration of the developmental medical projects at King Abdulaziz Medical city Jeddah, National Guard Health Affairs.
Prince Miteb bin Abdullah, state minister and commander of the National Guard, inaugurated the developmental medical projects at King Abdulaziz Medical City Jeddah, National Guard Health Affairs, on Tuesday.
He was accompanied by Prince Khaled; Prince Mohammed bin Mansour, assistant undersecretary of the National Guard for the western region; Minister of Health Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah; and Bandar bin Abdul Mohsin Al-Qanawi, executive director general of the National Guard Health Affairs and director of King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences.
Prince Khaled said the most valuable aspect was building qualified national cadres up to the highest levels, as one of the National Guard Health Affairs’ main objectives is to provide quality health services and make the Kingdom a global medical hub.
The National Guard Health Affairs is building these cadres by supporting training and development programs, organizing seminars, specialized conferences and workshops, and competing with the challenges the medical sectors faces due to rapid changes on the global, regional and local levels.
“It has become necessary for us to work on the preparation and draft of a national strategy for the health sector. The National Guard is based on the vision, mission and specific objectives of comprehensive and sustainable development, with a strategic plan to improve the general health situation of the citizens,” said Prince Khaled.
He also said these projects were part of a series of projects for the development of all regions and cities of the Kingdom to provide a decent life for Saudi citizens.
The projects will present an expansion in the provision of medical service and health care based on the establishment of departments and medical facilities to meet the demand of the latest medical equipment and supplies in the world.
Al-Qanawi said the developmental medical projects were the culmination of health services hosted by the National Guard Health Affairs to contribute to and support the development of health care provided by the government.
“The National Guard Health Affairs always plays an important role in the development of the ability of doctors and staff to keep pace with their scientific peers in developed countries. These developmental medical projects enable us to be on the high ranks of health institutions, academic and research. We are paying attention to health matters in all sectors of the National Guard, and we hope to provide specialized health care to employees of the National Guard, their families and citizens,” said Al-Qanawi.
He said these large-scale projects and developments were due to the support from Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah, Crown Prince Salman, and Prince Miteb bin Abdullah in lifting the level of health care up to international standards.
Al-Qanawi pointed out the expansion of the medical projects were made in hypnosis wings for tumor patients at Princess Norah bint Abdulrahman Al-Faisal Oncology Center, King Faisal Cardiac Center, Ambulatory Care Center, Surgery and Orthopedic clinic, in addition to the expansion and development of the intensive care units, accidents, injuries and road accidents center as well as first aid center.