The Cabinet Monday approved a new health care strategy that activates the Ministry of Health's supervisory and policy-making roles so as to improve health services. The strategy, approved by the Shoura Council, will activate private sector financing and operation of health services, said Abdul Aziz Khoja, Minister of Culture and Information. It will upgrade and optimize ambulance services all over the country, develop Saudi manpower and provide quality health services appropriate to population density. The Cabinet expressed satisfaction with the Health Ministry's measures to combat swine flu and complimented Health Minster Abdullah Al-Rabeah for reporting a swine flu recovery rate of as high as 98 percent. The Cabinet decided to maintain the status of the Saudi Red Crescent as a government body linked directly to the prime minister. A ministerial committee for administrative organization had submitted a draft report recommending its financial and administrative independence. Banks to run businesses The Cabinet meeting chaired by King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, also permitted licensed banks in the Kingdom to create their own fully-owned companies for businesses run with the consent of Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency (SAMA) and in line with Saudi banking regulations. The companies may be limited liability or closed joint stock ventures. On other matters, the Cabinet congratulated King Abdullah on the soft opening of King Abdullah University for Science and Technology (KAUST) in Thuwal Saturday when the first batch of 400 students from the Kingdom and other parts of the world started their academic year. KAUST will be officially inaugurated on Sept. 23, Saudi Arabia's National Day.
