Crown Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Deputy Premier and Minister of Defense, chaired the Cabinet's session at Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh on Monday afternoon. At the outset of the session, the Crown Prince reassured all people about the health of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, praying to Allah Almighty to preserve the King and bestow upon him good health and quick recovery. The Minister of Culture and Information, Dr. Abdulaziz bin Mohieddin Khoja, said in a statement to Saudi Press Agency (SPA) following the session, that the Cabinet was briefed on reports on the latest developments at Arab, regional and international arenas. The Cabinet stressed in this context the importance of the Armistice Agreement between Palestinian and Israeli sides, stressing the concerted efforts so that Israel implements this agreement and works to lift the inhumane siege on the Gaza Strip. He pointed out that the Cabinet reviewed a number of scientific, cultural , and economic activities and the Kingdom's participation in a number of meetings at international arenas. The Cabinet expressed its appreciation for international support for the initiative of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud for dialogue among followers of religions and cultures, which will be culminated today by the inauguration of King Abdullah International Center for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue in the Austrian capital of Vienna, aiming to spread human values, promote tolerance and seeks for the achievement of peace, security and stability for the peoples of the world. Dr. Abdulaziz bin Mohieddin Khoja said that the cabinet discussed items on its agenda and issued the following decisions: First: After reviewing the 147th minutes of the Higher Committee for Administrative Organization, the cabinet approved a number of actions relating to the project of establishing a national center for health information systems, including: First: Approval of the establishment of a national center for health information systems to be called 'National Center for Health Information' and linked organizationally with the Health Services Council. It will be connected through a network of health information with the Ministry of Health, medical services in the military, university hospitals, and other related bodies. Second: The Centre shall have a number of tasks and functions, including: 1 - Work to be a focal point for the provision, organization and exchange of health information automatically among health bodies and other related bodies. 2 - Selection of data and health information to be made available by the concerned authorities with health services and development of rules and mechanisms for the exchange of this information among the relevant authorities. 3 - Creation of a unified electronic health file for each patient through a system of linking electronic medical records in various health sectors, including hospitals and community health centers. 4 - Creation of national records for common diseases and epidemics at the level of the Kingdom in coordination with the competent authorities and centers. Third: The Centre shall have a general manager linked organizationally with Secretary General of Health Services Council. Within the organizational units of the center, a unit specialized in national health accounts will be established with the task of establishing a national health accounts system in the Kingdom and working to apply it so as to be able to measure and analyze financial flows in the health system with its different levels and identify patterns of costs expenditure on health services. Fourth: Research and Studies Department at the secretariat of the Council of Health Services shall be converted to a center for health research and studies, and it will be called 'Center for Health Research and Studies' and included within the organizational structure of the secretariat of the Council of Health Services. Second: The Cabinet decided to approve the application of the following decisions by the Supreme Council of the Gulf Cooperation Council at its 32nd session which was held in Riyadh on 24 and 25.1.1433 H. corresponding to 19 and 20/12/2011 G., namely: 1- Approval of the unified customs tariff of the GCC, version 2012 G., and effective from the first of January 2012. 2- Contribution by the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Kuwait to the program of the development of the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council in equal proportions by each. Their contributions shall be in the form of grants and through bilateral coordination. 3- Approval of the use the smart card as proof of identity for GCC nationals in the transactions and uses related to citizens at the public and private sectors in the member states. The concerned authorities of the member states shall issue the legislation and decisions binding the public and private sectors to accept identity card as proof of identity for GCC citizens. Application shall be based on the readiness of the states to do so. 4- Creation of a commission of customs union of the GCC countries and approval of the timetable for the implementation of the final status of the Customs Union with all its requirements, taking into account coordination by the Ministry of Finance with the concerned authorities when examining the requirements of the Customs Union, which will be applied at the first ports of entry of the GCC states. 5- Approval of the GCC plan to combat non-communicable diseases. Provision of the necessary budgets to support the ministries of health of the GCC countries to address non-communicable diseases shall be in accordance with the provisions and possibilities available to the Ministry of Health and the relevant authorities according to their respective fields. Third: The Cabinet decided to approve the application of the decision of the Supreme Council of the Gulf Cooperation Council issued at its 32nd session held in Riyadh on 24 and 25.01.1433 H. corresponding to 19 and 12/20/2011 AD, containing the adoption of the law (regulation) of the sources of the desalinated water with its text annexed to the decision as a guidance for a two-year period. Fourth, The Cabinet authorized the President of General Civil Aviation Authority or his deputy to discuss with the U.S. side a draft air transport agreement between the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Administration of the United States of America, and sign it according to the text attached to the decision. Fifth: The Cabinet approved appointments as follows: 1- Abdulaziz bin Mohammed bin Abdullah Al-Aifan as ambassador at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 2- Dr. Mohammed bin Abdullah bin Ibrahim Al-Eidi as General Vice President (rank 15th) at General Presidency for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice. 3- Mohammed bin Saad bin Abdullah Al-Mashkhas as Assistant Undersecretary of the Governorate for Security Affairs (rank 14th) at the Governorate of Makkah Region at Interior Ministry. 4- Dr. Khalid bin Mohammed bin Hamad Al-Fuhaid as Assistant Undersecretary for Livestock Resources at the Ministry of Agriculture. 5- Mohammed bin Khalifa bin Hamad Al-Shayie' as Director General of Administrative and Financial Affairs at the Ministry of Housing.
