regarding health professions improves services and s job opportunities

Two consultants in the health sector praised the decision approved by the Shura Council on Monday, adding an article to the system for practicing health professions, regarding the regulation of granting an independent individual Saudi health practitioner in the appropriate specializations a license to practice his specialty.

The two consultants said that the decision “enhances the quality of health services provided to patients, and s new job opportunities for Saudi health practitioners.”

Secretary General of the Arab Hospital Federation, Professor of Public Health and Consultant in Family and Community Medicine, Professor Tawfiq Khoja, said: “A positive decision that has dimensions that are reflected in the health practitioner and the health sectors and enhances the quality system of services provided to patients in addition to creating new job opportunities and income for many health practitioners, and protecting the interest of Patient and health care.

Improving the level of health care

He explained that one of the positive aspects addressed in the special proposed project is shortening the stay of patients in the hospital, and the resulting reduction in the rates of microbial infections acquired within hospitals. He said: “This aspect is one of the important matters that ensures that patients receive proper health care even after they are discharged from hospitals.” To their homes, the presence of independent and qualified health practitioners helps in obtaining the necessary health services on time.”

He added: "One of the beneficial advantages of the proposal is to reduce the cost of home health services, after removing their restriction to health institutions. Thus, the matter will be within the reach of patients by not bearing exorbitant costs and obtaining high-quality services."

Creating new job opportunities

For his part, Family and Community Medicine Consultant, Dr. Muhammad Bakr Saleh Qandiya, confirmed that the proposed project is positive for everyone, whether health practitioners or patients, as it is in the interest of all parties.

He said: “Granting independent Saudi health practitioners in the appropriate specialties a license to practice their specialty will reflect positively in creating new job opportunities and income for many health practitioners, in addition to supporting the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties and professional associations with the presence of health practitioners in the independent work sector.”

He added: "The decision will enhance the quality of health services provided to patients, as it will allow the presence of qualified health practitioners in patients'' homes, which will save time and effort for patients, and will also reduce the rate of infection within hospitals."

It is noteworthy that the Shura Council approved a draft proposal to add an article to the system for practicing health professions, submitted by a number of members of the Council, based on Article 23 of its system.

This came in a decision taken by the Council during its fourteenth regular session of the work of the fourth year of the eighth session, which was held today under the chairmanship of the Chairman of the Council, Sheikh Dr. Abdullah Al-Sheikh.

Council resolution

The Council’s decision included approval to add Article “Fourth” bis to the “Practice of Health Professions” system, issued by Royal Decree No. “M/59” dated 11/4/1426 AH, to read as follows: The Ministry must regulate the granting of independent individual Saudi health practitioners in The appropriate specializations provide a license to practice his specialty. The executive regulations specify the appropriate specializations and the conditions and controls necessary for that.

According to its sponsors, the project proposal aims to prevent the spread of diseases as a result of irregular practices, and to find regular ways for licensing, follow-up and evaluation from the Ministry of Health, including providing many health services at home by qualified practitioners and within a system that protects the patient’s interest and health care, and granting new job opportunities and income to many. Of health practitioners, reducing the cost of home health services after removing their restriction to health institutions, improving health care and raising quality by shortening the stay of patients in the hospital, and resulting in reducing the rates of microbial infections acquired within hospitals.

The proposal aims to support the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties and professional associations with the presence of health practitioners in the independent work sector (Freelance Healthcare Workers), and to revitalize the role of health educational institutions and teaching hospitals by adding courses and workshops for independent health practitioners.