Private sector a vital partner, says Al-Rabeeah

Health Minister Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah on Tuesday rejected accusations that his ministry is competing with the private sector to provide healthcare services in the Kingdom. The minister was speaking to private sector healthcare providers at the ministry's headquarters in Riyadh.
“We see the private sector as a strategic partner to deliver healthcare services to citizens and residents throughout the Kingdom,” the minister said.
He added that this partnership is demonstrated by the ministry's reliance on the private sector for various types of equipment, including dialysis machines, and for construction work. The ministry has to cooperate with the private sector for technology transfer and for procuring quality drugs and equipment, he said. “We have to optimize public and private sector cooperation for the benefit of the nation,” the minister noted.
The minister advised the members of the private sector to stay in touch with the various committees of the ministry to continue such cooperation. “In all cases, our top priority is our patients,” he added.
Al-Rabeeah said the ministry has set up a special desk to assist members of the private sector who are willing to invest in various public sector projects.
Al-Rabeeah said the ministry convened the meeting to inform the private sector of its plans for this year. Dr. Mohamed Al-Khosheim, deputy minister of health for planning and development, said that under the ninth development plan, the number of hospital beds will be increased from 30,000 to 66,000.
He added that over the past two years, the ministry has opened four new mental health hospitals, bringing the total to 17. “Now there are 5,000 beds in these mental health hospitals in the Kingdom.” He said there was an increasing demand for such hospitals because the private sector does not provide these services.
Al-Khosheim said there are 2,199 primary healthcare centers throughout the Kingdom. This will be increased to 3,000 centers to meet rising demand. This year Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah announced a record budget surplus of SR 9 billion for 2013, projecting expenditure at SR 820 billion and revenues at SR 829. The budget allocates SR 285 billion for new projects, SR 204 billion for education, SR 100 billion for health, SR 65 for transport and SR 57 billion for water, industry and agriculture.
The budget carries a package of pledges for the healthcare sector in the Kingdom, which includes more primary healthcare centers, new hospitals and facilities.
A total of 103 hospitals will be completed and furnished during this year. Agreements will be signed for another 19 new hospitals. The ministry is planning to complete five medical cities in the Kingdom, including King Fahad Medical City serving the Central Province, King Abdullah Medical City serving the Western Province, King Faisal Medical City serving the Southern Province, Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Medical City serving the Northern Province, and King Khalid Medical City serving the Eastern Province.