RIYADH: More than 1.2 million medical visits to Saudi homes have been made in the last two years under the Health Ministry’s Home Medicine Program.
A senior ministry official said that so far, 69,205 patients from all parts of the Kingdom have benefited from the service. A total of 2,680 new cases were recorded during the third quarter of this year, while the total number of cases at present stands at 32,164.
There are currently 362 medical teams with 1,680 employees attached to 206 hospitals throughout the Kingdom.
The official explained that the program takes health services to the doorsteps of patients who cannot travel to hospitals or clinics for their regular medical treatments.
He added that the program allows health officials to offer preventive and curative treatments for patients facing a diverse range of challenges, and who are unable to leave their homes.
The official said that 25 percent of these patients suffer from chronic ailments, such as diabetes, cardiac and renal diseases, while 23 percent of them suffer from paralytic strokes and other diseases.
A further 18 percent of them are affected by psychiatric diseases, while another 8 percent are dealing with various age-related diseases such as Alzheimer’s. Only two percent of patients suffer from cancer-related illnesses.
“Our team comprises qualified health specialists and nurses who offer their services during its home visits,” he said, pointing out that these health officials are given the necessary training to handle patients at home.
In addition to human resources, there is a fleet of 80 vehicles deployed in all parts of the Kingdom to facilitate the travel of the medical teams.
A senior ministry official said that so far, 69,205 patients from all parts of the Kingdom have benefited from the service. A total of 2,680 new cases were recorded during the third quarter of this year, while the total number of cases at present stands at 32,164.
There are currently 362 medical teams with 1,680 employees attached to 206 hospitals throughout the Kingdom.
The official explained that the program takes health services to the doorsteps of patients who cannot travel to hospitals or clinics for their regular medical treatments.
He added that the program allows health officials to offer preventive and curative treatments for patients facing a diverse range of challenges, and who are unable to leave their homes.
The official said that 25 percent of these patients suffer from chronic ailments, such as diabetes, cardiac and renal diseases, while 23 percent of them suffer from paralytic strokes and other diseases.
A further 18 percent of them are affected by psychiatric diseases, while another 8 percent are dealing with various age-related diseases such as Alzheimer’s. Only two percent of patients suffer from cancer-related illnesses.
“Our team comprises qualified health specialists and nurses who offer their services during its home visits,” he said, pointing out that these health officials are given the necessary training to handle patients at home.
In addition to human resources, there is a fleet of 80 vehicles deployed in all parts of the Kingdom to facilitate the travel of the medical teams.
