JEDDAH: Health Minister Khalid Al-Falih is set to inject a fresh dose of vitamins into the system by giving his deputy full responsibility and authority to deal with health services across the Kingdom.

The restructuring of the ministry, which will take effect within a week, will see the establishment of a planning agency, department for health economics and transformation of management, local media quoted the minister as saying.

The deputy minister will be empowered to deal with all activities related to health services, including the services and activities linked with the operational activities both within the ministry and in all the health departments in the Kingdom, said Al-Falih.

“The newly-established departments will deal with strategic planning of services and methods of financing and managing, besides the necessary plan of action for the transformation of the ministry in line with emerging requirements,” he said.

In his letter addressed to all the employees of the ministry, Al-Falih said: “We still have a long way to go as far as improving the health services are concerned. However, we are certain that the ministry can achieve the goals.”

The changes are likely to take effect by the 6th of Shawwal.