His Excellency the Chairman of the Shura Council Sheikh Dr. Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Ibrahim Al Al-Sheikh said that the directives of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, as well as His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and His Royal Highness the Second Deputy Prime Minister, May Allah protect them, to officials confirm that they are so close to citizens and keen on meeting their needs.
While attending the inauguration of the expansion project of the new outpatients, supportive services, and developmental projects at King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital (KKESH) in Riyadh sponsored by Governor of Riyadh His Royal Highness Prince Khalid bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz, Dr. Al-Sheikh said the Kingdom is witnessing developmental movements in all fields, including the health domain which always inaugurates new projects to meet the shortfall resulting from the increasing demands on health services.
Within the same vein, Dr. Al-Sheikh highlighted that the inauguration of the expansion project of the new outpatients, supportive services, and developmental projects at King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital (KKESH) is part of a number of actions taken by the Kingdom, represented by its Ministry of Health (MOH), to meet the growing demands on health services. Dr. Al-Sheikh noted that he was in contact with the hospital in the past, when he felt an urgent need for this expansion.
“We would like to thank Governor of Riyadh His Royal Highness Prince Khaled bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz, as well as the Vice Governor of Riyadh His Royal Highness Prince Turki bin Abdullah bin Abdulaziz for attending the inauguration ceremony of this project,” said Dr. Al-Sheikh, calling upon our Almighty Allah that this expansion achieves its purpose and benefits citizens and residents alike.
It is worth mentioning that the MOH currently witnesses a comprehensive developmental movement in all its facilities and services; given that the Ministry, during the past few years, has launched several health projects, including medical cities, hospitals, medical towers, specialized medical centers, and primary health care centers, in all regions and governorates of the Kingdom.
During the period from 1430 to 01/07/1434H (corresponding to 11/5/2013), 60 hospitals were operated with a capacity of 7856 beds, bringing the total number of MOH's hospitals to 262 hospitals. In addition, 19 specialized centers for tumors, heart diseases and diabetes were inaugurated, thus, the total number of MOH's diabetes centers has reached 20 centers; that is to be added to other 12 specialized centers for heart diseases. Within this year's budget, the Ministry of Health has also approved the establishment of 3 new cardiac centers in Jazan, Tabuk and Taif, bringing the total number of specialized cardiac centers to 15 centers spread over various regions and governorates in the Kingdom.
As for oncology centers, 5 new centers were operated during the period 1430/1434H, given that the MOH plans to establish 5 new oncology centers (category A) in the 5 medical cities, as well as 7 oncology centers (category B) in Madinah, Qassim, Jazan, Taif, Tabuk, Al-Ahsa and Hail.
Within the same vein, The MOH targets establishing oncology sections in King Saud Medical City in Riyadh, Najran, Al-Baha, the Northern Border, Hafr al Batin, Bisha, Qatif, and Qunfudah; that is to be added to establishing an oncology unit in Qurayat region.
For his part, the Chairman of the Health and Environmental Affairs Committee in the Shura Council His Excellency, Dr. Mohsen bin Ali Fares al-Hazmi, has lauded the inauguration of the expansion project of the new outpatients, supportive services, and developmental projects at King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital (KKESH) in Riyadh by the Governor of Riyadh region His Royal Highness Prince Khalid bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz, at the presence of His Royal Highness Prince Turki bin Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, Vice Governor of Riyadh region.
Dr. al-Hazmi said in a press statement that these developmental projects are considered an extension to the comprehensive renaissance which we live in the era of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, May Allah protect him.
Dr. Al-Hazmi added, “We hope that the Ministry of Health launches more of such developmental projects, contributing to providing high-level health services for citizens.”
On the other hand, the Member of the Health and Environmental Affairs Committee in the Shura Council, His Excellency Dr. Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz Al-Suwailem, has lauded the inauguration of the project, saying that these projects come within many other projects offered by the Ministry of Health to citizens, in its endeavors to provide health services similar to those provided in many developing countries.
Dr. Al-Suwailem added that the MOH works on a systematic basis that ensures full utilization and optimal exploitation of all resources, thus, it can achieve its vision with regard to the National Project for Integrated and Comprehensive Healthcare.