Adel Babkair and Suad Al-Shamrani Okaz/Saudi Gazette
JEDDAH/RIYADH — Any Saudi citizen can now open health institutions as amendments to the Private Health Institution Regulations were approved on Saturday. Earlier, only doctors or healthcare professionals were allowed to run such institutions. Adel Fakeih, acting health minister, approved the amendments to the regulations, which require health institutions to obtain the ministry's approval for the list of medical service prices. The Articles of the old regulations were updated to keep up with the rapid developments in healthcare services and encourage investment in the health sector. The new regulations also allow experienced healthcare professionals to move freely from one health institution to another as long as this serves patients. The regulations allow global healthcare companies to invest in the health sector in order to increase competitiveness and eventually improve medical services. Before approving the regulations, the ministry met many pertinent authorities in the Saudi Council of Chambers and took their opinion. The health and social affairs expenditure accounts for 12.6 percent of the total current budget, the second highest expenditure this year. Allocations for health and social affairs spending grew by 8 percent year-on-year to reach $28.8 billion (SR108 billion) in the 2014 budget. As a result, 34 new hospitals and healthcare centers will be built, in addition to continuing work at 132 hospitals and five medical cities currently under construction. NEW REGULATIONS * Experienced healthcare professionals allowed to move freely from one health institution to another. * Global healthcare companies allowed to invest in the health sector. * Regulations updated to encourage investment in the health sector.
