Around 80 percent of Saudi hospitals have yet to apply the new medical coding system, which aims to raise medical information standards in the Kingdom, a prominent medical expert told Arab News.

The new service also provides solutions and software for medical coding and health information and service management for medical records, medical files and medical education, in addition to enhancing training and quality assurance.

Osama Al-Shaib, managing director of the Saudi Arabian Medical Coding Company, which provides the new medical system to several Saudi hospitals, told Arab News, “The Ministry of Health has given public and private hospitals until June to apply the new system of medical coding.”

“Around 80 percent of Saudi hospitals have yet to apply this system. The Ministry of Health will not recognize any hospital that does not adhere to these standards. We have already drawn up numerous contracts with hospitals and clinics to launch the new system,” he added.

The medical coding system will end the need for department medical files, archives and other such departments that manage the storage of information and medical records.

Revenue calculation will also be made easier through the system.

The medical coding company will provide accredited Australian educational programs with the participation of leading companies in the field of medical education in the Kingdom.

These programs aim to strengthen the role of the medical coding profession in order to create a generation of Saudi coders.

Several United Kingdom-based healthcare firms showcased their services and products in the Kingdom as part of a visiting trade and investment delegation at the International Medical Center (IMC).

The event was aimed at healthcare practitioners and policymakers involved in all aspects of healthcare delivery, including the planning, design and construction of hospitals and procurement and delivery of services.

Helen Tanner, assistant director of UK Trade and Investment Middle East, earlier told Arab News that the seminars being held in Riyadh and Jeddah were organized to provide information on healthcare services, including planning and digital healthcare.