Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — Minister of Health Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah approved the executive regulations to help private health firms improve services and facilities, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.

The minister approved the regulations after making drastic amendments and bringing new health services and activities under its purview.

According to the regulations, there will be an enhanced contribution of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the private health sector.

Some of the functions of the Ministry of Health (MoH) will also be assigned to other government agencies and private sector companies to promote the principle of participation.

The regulations are aimed at achieving a balance between stimulating and empowering the private sector so as to enable it to contribute to enhancing the quality of health services.

The MoH said that the regulations include a mechanism for the classification of private health firms. The classification will be published periodically for the benefit of citizens.

Some health activities have been added to the regulations. These include the supporting medical services such as quick care centers, centers for transportation through ambulance, addiction treatment and rehabilitation centers, mobile medical clinics, independent home care and communicative medicine.

All these are aimed at strengthening the level of innovative medical services and raising the contribution of SMEs.

The ministry’s unveiling of the regulations coincides with its launching of innovative programs for the electronic licensing system and the self-assessment system for private health facilities.

The minister directed specialists in the ministry to continue to work on enacting rules and regulations that serve the health sector and citizens.

He also called for reviewing the executive regulations periodically so as to keep pace with the latest developments and practices in the health sector.