The meeting was also attended by the council’s Vice President Dr. Bandar bin Mohammed Hajjar, Secretary-General Dr. Mohammed Al-Ghamdi and Dr. Abdul Rahman Al-Barrak.
The Kingdom’s health-care service has been prioritized among items listed for discussions during the coming sessions. Members will be asked to discuss ways of improving patient safety.
Health-care organizations in Saudi Arabia are striving to improve patient safety and quality of care by implementing safety systems and creating awareness.
A recent survey carried out in 13 general hospitals in Riyadh revealed that overall Patient Safety Grade was rated as excellent or very good by 60 percent of respondents, acceptable by 33 percent and failing or poor by 7 percent.
The survey gauged the views of 223 health professionals, including nurses, technicians, managers and medical staff.
More than half of respondents thought that managers overlook safety problems that have a tendency to recur.
The council will also dwell on a draft memorandum of industrial cooperation between the Kingdom and Qatar. It will also discuss a draft protocol on cooperation in the oil, gas and mineral sectors between the Kingdom and Vietnam.
It will also explore the possibility of introducing new incentives to be offered to local and foreign investors to boost joint venture projects that come under the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA).
The members will also discuss new legislation and procedures to distribute government land and remove existing obstacles in the present distribution scheme.
On a recommendation made by the council’s Social Affairs Committee, the house will attempt to enhance present measures that are in force to protect children. The Ministry of Social Affairs plans to build seven social protection centers throughout the country costing SR14 million to help protect children from abuse. The ministry established the General Administration for Social Protection following a ministerial decision in 2004 to serve the needs of children below the age of 18.
The council also hopes to draft a set of guidelines consisting moral ethics in information technology.
