Mane', Minister of Health on Wednesday strongly criticized those objecting to Shariah verdicts in cases of medical error. “Let those who object Shariah rulings on which our country is founded shut their mouths,” he said noting that medical errors in the Kingdom are fewer than in other countries. Dr. Al-Mane' lauded the pioneering role being played by Saudi doctors in the service of the society. The role of the Saudi doctors has now become the focus of international attention, the minister said as he inaugurated here the third symposium entitled “Saudi practitioners and their role in the development of health system.” The symposium is being organized by the Health Services Council in cooperation with the GCC executive bureau of the Council of Ministers of Health, the Saudi Society of Family and Community Medicine and the Directorate General of Health Affairs in the Western Province. Al-Mane' said his ministry will act upon the recommendations of the symposium. Al-Mane' announced a three-pronged strategic plan: medical insurance, the national health fund, and turning public hospitals into institutions functioning under the ministry. He said about 500,000 Saudis working in private sector are medically insured. He added that 6 million residents so far have medical insurance, and the rest, about 2 million housemaids and drivers, will be insured soon.
