EP governor launches first home medical exhibition

Eastern Province Governor Prince Saud bin Naif inaugurated the first home medical exhibition in Alkhobar at Alseef Hall earlier this week.
The exhibition was organized by the General Directorate of Health Affairs in the Eastern Province.
It was attended by Abdulaziz Al-Humaidhi, deputy of ministry of health for therapeutic services, Saleh Al-Salhi, general director of health affairs in EP, and Saeed Al-Ghamdi, supervisor of the medical home program in the EP.
Prince Saud launched the ceremony and toured the exhibition. Prince Saud stressed that Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah is sparing no effort to develop the health sector.
He lauded the services of the home medical program that will contribute to helping patients at home, as well as in reducing the high rate of bed-occupancy in hospitals. He added, “Every citizen has the right to benefit from health projects provided by the government. Officials in the health sector have a great responsibility to provide better health services to patients and minimize medical errors.”
Abdulaziz Al-Humaidhi said that 30,000 patients throughout the Kingdom benefit from the home medical program, including 173 hospitals which have applied this program. He added that 281 medical groups had conducted 500,000 home visits. The groups had been provided with 15 cars to commute to homes easily.
The medical home program provides care to patients who have undergone surgery, elderly patients who were discharged from the ICU but are still in need of care, and cancer patients. It also provides nutrition advice to children and the elderly and supports and educates care-givers on how to take care of patients and use medical equipment when needed.
He pointed out that the function of the home medical doctor is to make daily visits to patients. In addition, the visiting doctor is tasked with ensuring that their condition is stable. He also has to determine the number of visits, follow up on analysis results, pay close attention to serious cases and participate in the scientific activities of the department on a weekly basis.
Gifts were given to participants, sponsors and organizers at the end of the ceremony.