JEDDAH —The supervisor of social services at the public health department of Jeddah Health Affairs has said plans are under way to gather residents of all "rubats" (old age homes) in one large building complex in each city, Al-Hayat newspaper reported. He said workshops were held at Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI) with the participation of all ministries and sectors for this purpose. These workshops recommended the construction of several large buildings in each city to accommodate all rubat residents at one location. These buildings will then be entrusted to the Ministry of Social Affairs, as it has the required expertise to supervise them. He pointed out that the Ministry of Health has taken positive steps toward this project. Representatives of the ministry have visited different rubats and provided necessary medical care for the residents. He said the Zamzam Charitable Society has volunteered to provide all necessary medical and living needs for rubat residents. Meanwhile, a number of social services employees have complained that they are not getting allowances for communicable diseases and transportation. Many have stressed the need for an infection allowance, as they deal with people suffering from contagious diseases. They said they are likely to transmit such diseases to their family members as well. Director of Jeddah Health Affairs Dr. Sami Badawood said the Ministry of Health would pay a 30 percent incentive to social services employees who participate in research and scientific symposiums. He, however, said not even doctors are receiving an infection allowance. He added that a number of committees in the ministry are reviewing the request of doctors and social service employees for the allowance.
