A proposal for the establishment of a national committee for the care of psychiatric patients has been submitted to King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques. Dr. Abdulhameed Al-Habeeb, Director General of Psychiatric Health in the Ministry of Health, said a new system for psychological health has been reviewed by the Board of Experts and referred to the Shoura Council for further study, prior to being submitted to the Council of Ministers for approval. The new system, he said, is based on treating and protecting patients in accordance with international requirements, which includes those patients who are not aware of their condition and are reluctant to be treated, and regulates the relationship between patients and the medical establishment or the service provider. He noted that there is an intention to open sections for those with severe psychological disorders similar to Shihar Hospital in Taif in each of Riyadh, Dammam, and Asir. He pointed out that there are 19 hospitals and more than 70 clinics in all regions of the Kingdom providing psychiatric health services. These are monitored by the ministry by means of inspections and periodic reports, and attempts are being made to link them all electronically. Al-Habeeb said the demand for psychiatric health service has increased in the past few years because of the pressure of life, population increase, the spread of drug use with its detrimental psychological effects, and the fact that society has become aware of the importance of the service. He added that the most widespread psychological diseases in Saudi society are anxiety disorders, depression and emotional illnesses. Al-Habeeb talked about the shortage of Saudi psychiatrists, hoping that young people develop an interest in the domain, adding that the ministry encourages the private sector to open psychiatric clinics.
