JEDDAH, 3 April 2005 — The health care committee of the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce & Industry (JCCI) has at its meeting reviewed various problems facing private hospitals and other health care facilities in the city.

The meeting, chaired by committee President Sobhi Batterjee, who heads the Saudi German Hospitals Group (SGHG), also announced the results of the selection of two best medical insurance companies.

“The selection was done on the basis of voting in which owners of major private hospitals took part,” Batterjee said.

The two medical insurance companies — BUPA and CARS — that have received the maximum number of votes are involved in the private health care sector. They will be honored at a ceremony to be held soon.

Questionnaires were prepared by the committee and distributed among all hospitals and health care facilities for the purpose, in coordination with the representatives of medical insurance companies.

Meanwhile, the SGHG organized the first symposium for emergencies and trauma care last week. Officials of the Ministry of Health, Civil Defense and the Red Crescent were present. Also present were the police as the event coincided with the Gulf Traffic Week.

A scientific program featured the symposium in which Dr. Khalid Batterjee, SGHG vice president and orthopedics consultant, presented lectures. A workshop on basic life support followed with a hands-on training program in cooperation with the Saudi Heart Association and the American Heart Association.

The workshop focused on how minutes and even seconds were important in dealing with cases of trauma and victims of natural calamities.

“When it comes to trauma, we should work all together hand in hand,” was the message given to participants.

Similar symposiums and workshops have been planned at SGHG facilities in Riyadh, Asir and Madinah.