RIYADH/JEDDAH: The Ministry of Health strongly warned against any local private hospital or clinic claiming to have the lab facilities to diagnose swine flu or to carry the vaccine for this virus.
The ministry said it had to issue the warning after receiving information stating that some hospitals and clinics are claiming they have the ability to diagnose swine flu and the vaccine to treat it.
“Such claims are absolutely not true. So far no private sector hospital or health-care center has such ability or vaccines for swine flu,” the statement said. “Besides it is well- known that until now no vaccine for the disease is available in the local market.”
The ministry urged both citizens and residents to report any local private health-care establishment making such claims, saying that it has set up special fax numbers to receive their reports. The numbers are: 01-212-4196 and 01-408-2738.
The ministry said that it would intensify its inspections of private sector health-care centers to fight such claims, warning that severe penalties would be inflicted on any health-care establishment proved to be involved in such claims.
Meanwhile, Director of Health Affairs Dr. Sami Badawood announced that the health utilities in Jeddah will provide medical services through the Eid holidays.
“All hospitals of the Health Ministry in Jeddah will deploy all their energies and medical and technical cadres to work around the clock providing treatment to the residents of the city,” he said, adding that the centers include general hospitals and clinics. Clinics will be open from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. for outpatient services.
The Department of Health Affairs will also be staffed during the holidays.
Badawood said, in addition to the general hospitals, a number of health centers in various districts will be working during the Eid holidays to provide medical services to the citizens and expatriates.
In Makkah, health officials have reported fewer health problems among Umrah pilgrims this year compared to 2008. Makkah Health Affairs spokesman Faiq Hussein said 3,790 people were treated in the four clinics located in the Haram area.
All hospitals in Makkah received 72,606 patients of whom 3,810 were admitted to hospitals. “These are low compared to the same period last year. This is in itself an indication of the success of the Umrah season,” he said.
— With input from Muhammad Humaidan
