Saudi Arabia has one of the most comprehensive health care systems in the world, particularly its services for women and children, a leading Shoura Council member said on Tuesday.

Lubna A. Al-Ansary, a professor of family medicine and head of the clinical practice guidelines committee at King Saud University, said the Kingdom spends 3 percent of its GDP on health servicies.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the country’s health care system was ranked at 26 in the year 2000, which was higher than Canada’s ranking, she said. The country’s maternal mortality rate was 16 out of 100,000, the lowest in Asia and the Arab world because of the availability of neo-natal care.

Although overall life expectancy has increased significantly for Saudi women, there is a need to tackle risk factors including hypertension, osteoporosis, obesity, breast cancer, smoking, and Vitamin D deficiency, she said.

Al-Ansary was speaking during a panel discussion on health issues at the annual Wives of Heads of Mission (WHOM) gathering. Over 40 spouses of foreign ambassadors and several guests met at the residence of the French ambassador in Riyadh on Tuesday.

Al-Ansary said that a good health system is not only vital for a person’s mental and physical wel being, but also plays a significant role in ensuring the stability and economic growth of a country. Definitions of health should take these factors into consideration, she said.

President of WHOM, Sabine Farra de Cerda, wife of the Argentine ambassador, said health was important for all countries and cultures. “We are facing similar problems and challenges the world over.”

She said that the WHO has indicated that there are 600,000 victims of obstetrics complications every year and 8 million disabilities linked to pregnancies.

Speaking to Arab News, Muad Besancenot, wife of the French ambassador and host for the day, said: “This is an international and unique occasion for all of us, regardless of our country of origin, our respective cultures and beliefs, to unanimously praise the positive role of women throughout the world.”

“Our gathering reflects not only the diversity of women but is also a celebration of the shared belief that women are committed and hard working persons with a deep sense of responsibility.”

Al-Ansary highlighted the efforts of women at the Shoura Council to strengthen health and other legislation. “We hope that our efforts will pave the way for others. We are satisfied that out of 73 proposals submitted to the Shoura Council, 13 were by women, a remarkable 18 percent considering that women are new to these processes.”

Those who attended included Shoura Council members Thuraya Obaid, Huda Al-Helaissi, Soraya Al-Lairid and Dalal Al-Harbi. Over 60 Saudi women including leading physicians, businesswomen, government officials and intellectuals were also present.

Celebrated pianist Galina Besner Gassmann and award-winning French artists Laure Cambau and Sandrine Carpentier performed at the event.