Abdullah Al-Jamili
Al-Madinah
Health is a chronic headache for our country. Though the government has been extremely concerned in dealing with this issue, it has remained a big problem and an enigma that is difficult to resolve.
The successive Saudi governments have allotted large amounts of money from their budgets for this sector. They have changed many ministers in short periods of time in search of remedies to this problem.
With the arrival of the new minister, Khaled Al-Falih, the hopes are now high to find a final solution to this serious and protracting headache.
He has come from Saudi Aramco, the giant oil company famous for its strategic planning, spectacular achievements and good governance. This rich background will help him find solutions to the health problems that have been prevalent for a long time in our country.
Armed with a background of efficiency and good management, our hopes are high that Al-Falih will be able to deal with all the problems facing the health sector.
The health issues waiting for the minister to examine and resolve include, among others, the following:
— Medical insurance for citizens. The Saudis have been waiting for a long time for a decision to be issued on this matter but nothing has happened far. Despite the studies on the subject, which took many years to finalize, it remained unsolved. If implemented, medical insurance will rectify a number of health issues including long queues in front of government hospitals and the long time needed to see a doctor.
— Medical mistakes. These are the errors that constantly happen in both government and private hospitals. Many people have lost their lives, been left paralyzed or permanently incapacitated as a result of these errors. The new minister needs to draft rules and regulations that will reduce the occurrence of medical mistakes to a minimum, if not eradicating them altogether. The reduction of medical errors also requires the appointment of highly qualified medical cadres. The medical teams that make these mistakes should not only be punished but named and shamed at the same time.
— There are areas in the Kingdom that have been left without hospitals or specialized health centers. The residents of these areas are hoping that the new minister will not forget them.
— The dangerous and contagious epidemics invading countries and human communities. This entails formulating thorough and transparent plans to confront them. We should not allow any repetition of the tragedy of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus.
— The endemic diseases should be dealt with quickly and efficiently. These diseases have been staying for a long time in our country. They include diabetes, hypertension, cancer, obesity and others.
— The life expectancy of Saudis has increased to about 75 years. This can be maintained or even increased through perfect preventive and curative health services in addition to continuous health care and rehabilitation.
— Putting an end to the duality of health services, which are a complete waste of time and money. The same citizen may be treated in more than one hospital for the same disease. Keeping a unified health record will end this duality.
— Dependence on expatriates is an eternal negativity. It is time now to reach self-sufficiency to the national medical cadres. This can be done through a national program to graduate more Saudi male and female doctors in collaboration with Saudi universities and the scholarship program.
— Graduates of health institutes with medical diplomas should be appointed in hospitals after they are trained and rehabilitated. We should remember that people have graduated from accredited health facilities.
— Giving the staff of hospitals and health centers all their moral and material rights including the fringe benefits, bonuses and other emoluments. This will entice them to make more effort and to be dedicated to their work.
These are some of the challenges facing Al-Falih. There may be more. I hope that he will be able to solve them all.
