Saeed Al-Khotani Saudi Gazette RIYADH — Minister of Health Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah is considering establishing a consultative council that links his ministry with the private healthcare sector, it was revealed on Sunday. He discussed the idea at his office with members of the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry's private sector health committee and a group of healthcare investors. Al-Rabeeah said the health needs of patients should take priority in line with the ministry's motto “Patient First”. Participants in the meeting also discussed organizing a workshop that will bring the public and private healthcare sectors together. The ministry will use the workshop to update private healthcare sector representatives on recent ministry initiatives to focus on patient needs and satisfaction, including more homecare, emphasis on patient rights and relations, more visiting physicians, bed management systems, one-day surgeries, medication safety and accreditation. The minister told the meeting the ministry is working on establishing comprehensive patient referral and information sharing programs that will require the private healthcare sector's participation. Al-Rabeeah said it was important to get private sector health facilities accredited by the Saudi Central Board for Accrediting Healthcare Institutions and to actively participate in health promotion programs and campaigns carried out by the ministry. It was important that the private healthcare sector develops work policies and procedures that help eliminate medical malpractice cases and crack down on unlicensed healthcare personnel to avoid fines, he said. A Ministry of Health spokesman said the meeting came as a reaction to the recent closure of Erfan and Bagedo Hospital in Jeddah recently. He said: “The meeting came as part of regular meetings that Al-Rabeeah and top ministry officials used to conduct with leading private healthcare providers, who are seen by the ministry as partners in the provision of the healthcare services to the country.”
