Health Minister Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah said on Sunday that emergency health services should be offered to a patients in remote areas on a round-the-clock basis.

The minister made this statement while announcing the adoption of a new work schedule for the health services provided to citizens.

He said the 24-hour emergency services rule would apply for people in remote areas with no health facilities in the villages. Patients in far-off places could availed themselves of these services offered by the Ministry of Health, he added. Under this program, doctors and ambulances will be on call for any emergency services required by patients in these areas.

Under the new regulation announced by the minister, medical centers and hospitals in the Kingdom would work for nine and a half hours on weekdays and nine hours on Fridays and Saturdays.

He also pointed out that emergency centers on the highways will also work on a round the clock basis, as the services provided by the officers are important throughout the day and night.

He also said that health officials who work extra hours should be suitably compensated.

According to the new announcement, regular working hours at the health facilities would be from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. during the first shift and 5 to 9 p.m. during the afternoon shift on all weekdays.

On Fridays and Saturdays, they will be open from 8 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. in the morning and 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. during the evenings.