The Council of Ministers Monday approved the proposal to develop the pre-marital screening into a healthy marriage program, reported the Saudi Press Agency (SPA). Tests for AIDS, Hepatitis B, C will be added to pre-marital screening. The healthy marriage program will be carried out in stages, starting with fiscal year 2007-2008 for a period of two years so as to cover all scanning centers in the Kingdom to cater to service seekers estimated at 250,000 annually. The Cabinet also ordered to link the Ministry of Health and relevant authorities like the Ministry of Justice electronically so as to monitor cases which don't match and to ensure that the requested pre-marital screening has been conducted properly. The Cabinet also announced that renal failure patients working in the private sector will be given a paid holiday on the day of their dialysis. The wage for the day of their dialysis will be paid by the Human Resources Development Fund. The Cabinet stressed the Kingdom's stand in supporting Arab interest in a way to achieve safety, stability and development besides encountering all dangers that threaten their unity. __
