King Abdullah’s continuing resolve to bring about increased transparency in the workings of our government and to eliminate bureaucratic bungling and red tape carries a breath of fresh air to those of us who have dealt with the various sectors of our government. His aspiration is to move the government to be more responsive to the needs of the people and quickly, resulting in a healthier climate for all of us.
And while ministries have begun to respond to his call, there remain pressing issues within the various ministries that should be addressed and tackled right away. Five-year plans are fine and dandy for some, but in the buzzing dynamics of this nation, such a time frame for some may seem far away.
Take the case of health care. The Ministry of Health is responsible for the supervision of health care and hospitals in both the public and private sectors of this country. Apart from a few excellent hospital facilities, most of the others leave a lot to be desired. In a quest to provide higher numbers of government-run hospitals and clinics, quality of care has taken a back seat to statistics.
Disturbing reports of patients receiving substandard treatment are on the rise, as are reports of faulty treatment and errors in diagnosis. The shortage or lack of ambulances, manned by qualified personnel, that could respond swiftly in an emergency is another worrying thought. Emergency rooms and intensive care units are not planned in some areas of the cities, and when the need is critical, woe betide the patient. Health care is an essential pillar for the well-being of any civilized society, and this ministry must set corrective targets and goals that can be measured in days and weeks rather than in years.
The Ministry of Higher Education is empowered to oversee all universities and institutes of higher learning in the country. As a key player in the comprehensive development plan of this nation, this ministry has a pivotal role. Yet the complaints of businessmen reluctant to hire recent graduates in a variety of fields indicate that all is not well. Applicants lack the tools and know-how that could successfully merge them with the business world. Having spent a better part of 16 years or more studying and learning, these graduates and their prospective employers may wonder where things went wrong.
Immediate remedies are required to cut down the dependence on foreign labor in the face of high unemployment. Forums between businessmen and the ministry should be set up at various venues to determine the particular needs and requirements of the business community and refashion the curriculum accordingly. It does not bode well for any society to boast of thousands of college graduates, but without a pittance of marketability.
At public school level, the curriculum must shift its focus from memorization to understanding. Social ethics, public speaking, communication, stable independency and regimented physical education for boys and girls should be taken into account and introduced as a matter of fact. Quality rather than quantity must be the inherent theme.
The Ministry of Civil Service has been authorized to plan the civil manpower required in the government sector and to ensure that the competence of civil servants matches the requirements of the Kingdom as it implements various development programs. Again, as our civil sector is in dire need of a bureaucratic overhaul, emphasis must be placed on training these civil servants to be more responsive to the needs of those they are meant to serve.
It wouldn’t hurt to stress to these prospective civil servants that their roles are to serve the public and not the other way round. Enforcing accountability and honest performance reviews are some elements that should be revisited.
The Ministry of Labor tasked with the development and use of the country’s human resources can jump on the bandwagon and work alongside the Ministry of Higher Education to buoy up the quality of graduates and enable them to mainstream in public or private sectors. This ministry also deals with labor disputes, and can without delay stem the tide of abuse and violations of labor rights through periodic monitoring and swift punishment for the offenders.
Other ministries should take heed of the king’s call. While King Abdullah at the helm champions the vision of a better Saudi Arabia, that vision should also be ingrained within each one of his subjects and we must all, be we ministers or otherwise, put forth more effectively and efficiently to get there.
