JEDDAH, 26 May 2005 — A symposium will be held concurrently with the biennial five-day Saudi Health Care & Saudi Hospital expo being opened by Minister of Health Dr. Yaser Al-Ghamdi at the Jeddah International Exhibition & Convention Center on Sunday.

The interactive symposium will be hosted by Jeddah’s King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Center, and conducted under license by the Saudi Council for Health Specialties, entitling delegates to six credit hours.

“Health Care in the Kingdom: Challenges and Aspirations” is the title of the symposium being held from May 30-June 1.

On May 30, the theme is “Health Care: Standards & Trends.” It will feature lectures by Dr. Adnan Al-Bar, professor of family and society medicine at King Faisal University; Dr. Mohammad Khosheim, executive director medical services at healthcare affairs, Western Region-National Guard Hospital; Dr. Moqbil Al-Hadithi, assistant director general technical affairs, SCHS; and Dr. Sultan Ba-Habri, administrative supervisor at KFSH.

On May 31, the theme is “Health Professionals: Needs & Ambitions”, which will feature lectures by Dr. Mansour A. Al-Janadi, president of the Saudization Committee, Health Care Development Council; Dr. Feheid M. Al-Hadyani, administration manager, SCHS; Dr. Sabah Abu Zinadah, head nurse at Military Hospital, Riyadh.

On June 1, the theme is “Contemporary challenges in the Kingdom”. It will have lectures by Dr. Samar Badruddin, president, contagion prevention department, KFSHRC; Dr. Abdullah Saati, president, health care insurance committee, Jeddah Chamber of Commerce & Industry (JCCI); and Dr. Ghadah Al-Barakati, quality consultant.

The symposium on the three evenings will be followed by open discussion.

The symposium will conclude with recommendations on the final day. Admission is free. All lectures will be in Arabic.

The exhibition on Saudi Health Care and Saudi Hospital ends on June 2.

First time participants include Brazil whose national pavilion is organized by the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce and supported by Brazil’s Ministry of Trade.