The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia shall review its experience in combating chronic diseases at the Saudi Gulf symposium for chronic diseases and the First Forum for the Specialized Health Societies organized by the Ministry of Health under the sponsorship of the Minister of Health Dr. Hamad Al-Mane. The symposium shall be held at the headquarters of Dhahran International Shows Company in Dammam during the period from 30/01/1428H to 4/2/1428H, under the banner (Protection against Diseases .. a Vital Investment). The symposium is part of a campaign carried out by the Ministry of Health for the purpose of elevating health awareness and creating a healthy society. The Ministry of Health provides 65% of health services through 2000 health centres and 204 hospitals distributed all over the Kingdom.
The chronic diseases patients caring program executed by the Ministry of Health is a strategic priority and an example for combating such diseases. The program aims to lower morbidity, mortality and disability rates occurring due to attacks of chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and asthma. A number of unified criteria for diagnosing, treatment, and follow up of chronic diseases have been adopted using available sources.
The Ministry of Health arranged certain steps for the program, including formation of the national scientific committee and coordination with the World Health Organization. An expert from WHO arrived to the Kingdom for participating in setting the criteria for providing this important service at the medical centres. A training workshop held at the Rabwa Training Centre for Higher Studies in Riyadh has been attended by 56 participants from 30 health centres. Another open symposium attended by a number of doctors from local and private health areas has formulated a national guide for the program, including the criteria, procedures, and measurement indicators of service provision.
Since 1420H, the program's approval procedures have been accomplished in cooperation with the World Health Organization. Supervisors in the different provinces have been trained and clinics equipped and operated.
The Ministry of Health has also created a number of national programs for controlling chronic diseases, including the National Program for Combating Smoking, the National Program for Combating Asthma, the National Program for Combating Diabetes, and other programs. A number of health education campaigns have also been launched for enhancing health awareness regarding chronic diseases.