The Ministry of Health has decided to introduce a five-day week with one shift from Sunday through Thursday in all primary health care centers across the Kingdom.The decision will come into effect at the beginning of the lunar month of Shaaban, that is April 20.

The one-shift system was introduced last October by former acting Health Minister Adel Fakeih, with nine working hours — 7.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. — with an hour’s break if work conditions permit.

However, according to the new system, the shift will be only 8 hours, that is 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., without the one-hour break, while the weekends will be covered as usual by special shifts.

The ministry said the decision over the new system was taken after conducting a comprehensive field survey, during which 25,000 health care workers, patients and parents preferred the 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. shift.

The working hours of the administrative staff will remain the same as other government civil employees, that is from 7.30 a.m. to 2.30 p.m.