The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, has made his orders to treat all COVID-19 patients for free. HE Minister of Health, Dr. Tawfik bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah, made this declaration. According to the Minister, the King’s order involves providing the necessary medical care for anybody who tests positive for disease, or is a suspected case, including violators of residence, labor, or border security laws. They shall all be treated at the public and private hospitals and healthcare centers free of charge, and without any legal liability whatsoever. This order is meant to ensure health security for the Kingdom’s citizens and residents.
King Salman’s gesture of generosity is a continuation of the colossal humanitarian aids provided to the countries stricken by the pandemic, Al-Rabiah said. Those countries include China and Italy, where the crisis is most severe.
Al-Rabiah mentioned that the G20 Extraordinary Leaders’ Summit on COVID-19, chaired by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, underscores that the Kingdom is the pioneer in this area, and presents a role model in the fight against this pandemic.
He said: “The prudent decisions taken by the Saudi Government have enabled applying the precautionary measures early on, way before many countries. Those measures have proved central for suppressing the coronavirus outbreak.” He added that the Kingdom takes the preventive measures seriously, and applies them strictly. Those measures, he stressed, are being constantly reviewed, assessed, and updated.
He revealed that the health services continue to be provided at hospitals and healthcare centers around the clock. And the health facilities are ready to handle any potential COVID-19 developments.
Dr. Al-Rabiah called on everybody to stay at home, being the most effective way to suppress the outbreak. “The citizens and residents have shown a great deal of cooperation and responsiveness,” he said. “More needs to be done. A sense of responsibility will add up to the unstinting efforts made in the ruthless fight against the virus.” Dr. Al-Rabiah said he is hopeful about developing COVID-19 drugs, given the global interest in developing vaccines and drugs for the disease.
“This pandemic presents us with a great challenge,” said the Minister of Health. “And it's hard to predict when it will come to an end, especially given the fact that the virus is still being studied, and its transmission is so fast.” He reiterated that the 937 Service Center is fully prepared to provide COVID-19-related help 24/7.