In its sixth session and under the sponsorship of the Pan Arab Excellence Awards Academy (the administrative and organizational arm of the Smart Government Awards), in collaboration with the Kuwaiti Central Agency for Information Technology and with the attendance of the Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs and President of the Central Agency for Information Technology Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah Al-Sabah, the Ministry of Health (MOH) won the Best Smart App award at the level of ministries in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Also the MOH's Portal won the E-Government Excellence Award.
The Pan Arab Excellence Awards Academy organized on 18 March 2015 a big ceremony to distribute the awards and appreciation certificates for the winners at the Symphony Style Hotel in Kuwait.
On his part, the Advisor to the Minister of Health and Supervisor-General of the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Dr. Abdullah bin Ahmad Al-Wehaibi explained that the MOH's winning of the Best Smart App and E-Government Excellence Awards came as a result of the Minister of Health's directives and his continuous keenness to act in accordance with the prescribed strategic plans. He also expressed his pride for winning the two awards to satisfy the aspirations of rulers and citizens and contribute to upgrading the apps the Ministry is providing for its visitors, hoping that the Portal achieves its message.
Within the same vein, the Supervisor of Systems and E-Transactions, Eng. Ayedh Al-Maqati, pointed out that the MOH's winning of the Best Smart App and E-Government Excellence Awards came after strenuous efforts to develop the MOH's Portal, in order to keep up with the requirements of the e-government and the vision it provides as per the Ministry's strategy of meeting the citizens’ needs and obtaining medical information easily and conveniently.
It is worth mentioning that the ceremony included two-day workshops offered the best practices of smart applications, with the presence of an international expert in the development of smart government applications. Besides, the workshops were accompanied by panel discussions, to reinforce the competences and exchange the expertise. The event encompassed a conference and an exhibition of the best smart government applications practices. Likewise, the workshops were participated by a number of those involved in the field of information and communication technology at the level of governments of the Arab countries, with the presence of a constellation of specialists from the associated international companies.