The Shoura Council called for more financial allocations to the Ministry of Health’s (MoH) budget to help meet the increasing costs of health services and cater to the health needs of citizens.

The 20th session of the Shoura Council was chaired by its Deputy Speaker Dr. Amin Al-Jaafri on Monday.

Speaking at a press conference, Assistant Speaker of the Council Dr. Yahya bin Abdullah Al-Samaan said the call was made at the council following the reading of the MoH annual report for 1434 to 1435 , which was tabled by Chairman Health Committee Dr. Sattam bin Saud Linganawi.

The health and social affairs expenditure accounts for 18.6 percent of the total budget, the second highest figure this year. Allocations for health and social affairs spending grew by 48 percent compared to the 2014 budget to reach $42.7 billion (SR160 billion) in the 2015 budget. Across the country, 27 new hospitals and health

facilities will be built in addition to continuing construction at 117 hospitals and eight medical cities. In 2014, hospital construction added more than 4,500 beds to the country’s capacity.