RIYADH, 23 December 2004 — The Ministry of Health launched a Kingdomwide awareness campaign on family health care yesterday signing an SR39 million contract with a private company to carry out the program.
The agreement was signed by Health Minister Dr. Hamad Al-Manea and Assistant General Manager of Modern Products Company (MPC) Osama Abu Dawood.
“Children are the assets of the nation and they should be brought up in a healthy manner so that we could have a healthy nation in the future,” said Dr. Al-Manea pointing out that the partnership program with a private sector company indicates the Kingdom’s commitment to the welfare of its people. “We want to ensure an excellent health care for everybody,” the minister added.
To provide better health facilities, the minister said the Kingdom plans to build 2,000 more health centers. There are already 1,800 primary health care clinics. He added that 570 centers will be set up in the next two years. “These centers will be set up with modern equipment to provide the best health care for the people,” he said.
A contract for the construction of 150 health centers has already been given to Saudi Oger. In addition to the general health services, the health centers will also provide pediatric, dental, pharmacy, vaccination and prenatal care services free of charge.
Under the agreement, MPC will organize a series of symposia and health education lectures in schools and family health centers to lay stress on the health of pregnant mothers and children.
Abu Dawood said his company initiated a similar community program with the Ministry of Education for the establishment of a science club for secondary school students. “This project, started three months ago in Jeddah, is popular among the students,” he added.
