Mishal Al-Otaibi Okaz / Saudi Gazette RIYADH — The deputy health minster said recently the ministry offers many services in mental health and rehabilitation. There are 21 hospitals and complexes for mental health and 99 psychiatric clinics that are equipped with 2,811 beds, said Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Hemaidhi at the national conference for the treatment of addictions organized by Al-Amal Complex For Mental Health. There are plans to expand the number of beds in current hospitals, in addition to expansion projects for existing hospitals, he had said. Al-Hemaidhi said there were 677 psychiatrists working in these centers. In addition, there are 428 psychiatric specialists, 872 social specialists, and 3,182 nurses, he claimed. There are plans for 14 hospitals in different parts of the Kingdom, he announced. A pioneer project of the ministry is to provide psychiatric services through primary health care centers, he said. The General Manager of Riyadh Health Affairs Dr. Adnan Al-Abdulkarim said a number of experts and specialists in addiction treatment participated in the conference. He added that the ministry plans to build a new complex with 500 beds.
