TAIF: Dulam residents demanded that health officials open a health center that is open 24 hours a day. Currently the center is closed from noon to 4 p.m. and closes for the night at 7 p.m.
Residents argue that health emergencies happen any time and there are health cases that require immediate attention. Arab News visited the health center and interviewed a few people.
Naif Al-Otaibi, Dulam resident, said that he had to take his son to Taif for treatment because the clinic was closed.
"My son had a high fever. When I went to the center it was closed and wa told they only accept emergency cases. I do not know what the definition of 'emergency' is. If my son is suffering from high fever, isn't that an emergency?"
Meshal Al-Ruqi, another Saudi resident, had a similar experience.
"My son suffered from illness and when I went to the center after 7 p.m. I was told that it was closed. I had to drive all the way to Al-Muwayah, which is about 50 kilometers from Dulam, to find treatment for my son."
Al-Ruqi pointed out that the Riyadh-Taif highway is nearby and the area needs a proper clinic that can handle accident-related injuries.
"There are many car accidents in on this highway and this center needs to remain open to treat the patient. If the center was closed then the patients will be transferred to Afif General Hospital, which is 150 kilometers away."
The official spokesman of Taif health department said to Arab News that the department is working hard to improve the center.
"Currently we cannot change the center to work 24 hours a day because there is a center that is working 24 hours a day in Al-Muwayah," said the official.
