RIYADH — Healthcare facilities accredited as quality health care institutions in the Kingdom for meeting local and international quality standards reached 66 hospitals. Of the facilities, 16 received the Joint Commission International ( JCI ) accreditation while the other 50 hospitals obtained local accreditation from the Central Board of Accrediting Healthcare Institutions. This was revealed here during a reception by the Minister of Health Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah for the team of King Saudi Medical City in Riyadh. The team had worked closely with the JCI experts, the leading American non-profitable agency, to get KSMC gain the accreditation. “I congratulate KSMC for this remarkable achievement which is an achievement for the ministry itself as well. It is a step in fulfilling the thrust by the ministry for the excellence in providing healthcare services to the citizens and residents of the Kingdom and turn its motto (Patient First) a reality “ he said. Deputy Health Minister for Planning and Development Dr. Muhammd Khushaim said that meeting the quality and patient safety standards whether local or set by leading international accreditation body in North America or Europe is his ministry's strategic goal. Currently more hospitals and healthcare facilities are being prepared for either JCI or SBAHI accreditation. “Around 13 hospitals are being currently prepared for JCI accreditation and other 40 hospitals are on the way to be accredited by SBAHI,” Dr. Khalid Marghlani, MoH spokesman, told Saudi Gazette.
