His Royal Highness Prince Miteb bin Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, Minister of National Guard launched the (Fifth Patient Safety Forum) on Tuesday, the 14th of April 2015 and will last until Thursday, the 16th. Prince Miteb gave a speech on this occasion on which he pointed out that “I am pleased to be here in such scientific forum given the importance of keeping up with developments and experiences in the application of patient safety’s standards and regulations along with promoting a culture of safety in health institutions as part of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz great interest towards the healthcare to ensure patient care and safety while receiving optimal health services”.
Prince Miteb also pointed out that such conferences and scientific meetings represents a basic foundation in order to achieve a comprehensive healthcare system and activate the main role played by the Ministry of National Guard represented by the Health Affairs.
Furthermore, Prince Miteb emphasized the Ministry of National Guard’s adherence to adopting the national movement in the activation of quality in health care to ensure the safety of patients and the health services provided to its employees and beneficiaries. He concluded his speech by wishing this conference would achieve its goals and come out with recommendations, which in turn will develop and promote the upgrading of patient safety’s t health care levels.
Then, on behalf of H.E. Chief Executive Officer of Ministry of National Guard - Health Affairs, President of King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Dr. Bandar Al Knawy, Dr. Saad Al Mehrij, Chief Medical Officer of the Ministry of National Guard - Health Affairs, received and welcomed HRH Prince Miteb, Minister of National Guard and Abdul Mohsen Al-Tuwaijri, National Guard’s Deputy Minister for their continuous for healthcare.
Dr. Saad Al Mehrij, Chief Medical Officer praised the past 4 patient safety forums through the application of the recommendations and outcomes which contributed in raising the level of medical care in NGHA facilities, being one of the major conferences that highlights patient safety, triggers the interest of all health practitioners and introduces them to the latest procedure and regulations that covers patient safety.
In addition, Dr. Saad Al Mehrij stressed out that that the results the NGHA’s pursuit in the application of quality standards are cleatly visible through the achievement of improvement and development, including, but not limited to the Joint Commission International (JCI) Accreditation for 4 years on a row along with the (CAP) Accreditation and the American Association of Blood Banks Accreditation since 1996 till now. Noting that these accreditations are considered achievements in raising the level of services provided to patients.
Finally, Dr. Saadi Taher, Executive Director, Medical Services – Central Region said that patient safety one of the most important files and issues faced by the nation and the citizens alike, it also represents a complex topic in the field of medical services. He added:” National Guard Health Affairs initiative focused on the importance of patient safety, through the application of the latest healthcare foundations, scientific conferences and workshops to spread a culture of safety amongst the medical and health professionals.