RIYADH, 28 April 2008 — The Ministry of Health intends to increase the number of hospitals across the Kingdom and enhance the services available at Primary Health Care Centers, said Ghazi A. Geelani, assistant deputy minister for planning and research at the Ministry of Health.
Speaking at a press conference detailing the ministry’s accomplishments over the past four years and its future plans, Geelani said, “There is a problem of capacity at hospitals in big cities like Jeddah and Riyadh. In abstract figures we only have half a bed per 1,000 residents. We aim to increase this number in the coming four years.”
He added that low capacity leads to a low level of service at the Kingdom’s hospitals.
Geelani also revealed that the Ministry of Health intends to operate more hospitals and renovate old ones. Forty-six hospitals are under construction, with 11 of them due to be opened next year.
“The increase in hospitals will require an increased number of employees... However, the main concern now is launching the hospitals with a target of having three beds per 1,000 residents,” he said.
Geelani added that the Kingdom’s growing population is one cause of the problem. He also said that good medical care is the right of everyone.
He said that highly qualified Saudis and non-Saudis would be hired to work in the new hospitals. “The development plans are concrete ones. We have our delegations outside the Kingdom to sign contracts with professional doctors. We’re planning on hiring Saudis as well. In spite of that, all that we are thinking about right now is meeting the target,” Geelani added.
Muhammad Ba Salman, general director of development at the Ministry of Health, said, “In abstract numbers, this strategy does not only mean getting three beds per 1,000 residents, but also having one doctor and a half for every bed in the long run.”
He added, “We are trying to make a balance between efficiency of services and quality of medical establishments. We are here working as one team, day and night to overcome all problems.”
