Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah has allocated SR 15.1 billion ($4 billion) for 22 new health projects throughout the Kingdom.
This was announced by Health Minister Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah in Riyadh. He said the new allocation had been made by the king, in addition to the earlier allotment of SR 16 billion for five medical cities as well as the annual budget allocation.
The Kingdom reported a record surplus budget of SR 9 billion for 2013, projecting expenditure at SR 820 billion and revenues at SR 829.
The budget allocated SR 285 billion for new projects, SR 204 billion for education, SR 100 billion for health, SR 65 billion for transport and SR 57 billion for water, industries and agriculture.
The minister said the budget carried a package of pledges for the health care sector in the Kingdom, which included more Primary Healthcare Centers (PHCs), new hospitals and facilities.
Under the budget, Al-Rabeeah said that more PHCs will be opened in the regions to reach people in every corner of the Kingdom.
Currently, the MoH maintains more than 2,000 PHCs in the 20 health regions of the Kingdom.
Al-Rabeeah said that the king had ordered the construction of 19 medical complexes, including hospitals and three health facilities for mentally disabled and autistic children.
He also indicated that the king has ordered the acquisition of land plots for various upcoming health projects.
The government is also keen on developing facilities in the existing primary health care centers throughout the Kingdom.
Under the new directives, Al-Rabeeah said a new medical investment company will be formed under the aegis of the Public Investment Fund of the Ministry of Finance.
A feasibility study will be carried out for the creation of such a company and the report will be sent to higher authorities for final approval.
Arab News
25 April
