Rabeah, Health Minister, formally cuts a ribbon to inaugurate Saudi Medicare 2010 at the Riyadh International Exhibition Center, Monday. – Courtesy photo Saudi Medicare 2010 inaugurated RIYADH – Medical events that showcase the latest medical technology, advanced devices and health care services under one roof help in improving the health sector in the Kingdom, Dr Abdullah Al-Rabeah, Minister of Health, said here Monday. The minister was speaking to reporters after inaugurating Saudi Medicare 2010 at the Riyadh International Exhibition Center off King Abdullah Street. Dr. Al-Rabeah who took a brief tour of some of the leading participants in the show said medical events such as Saudi Medicare 2010 will have a positive impact on the Kingdom's health sector. He said the event would help authorities in the Ministry of Health and health care providers including hospitals and related companies to join together to offer the best health care system. “The basic aim of such events is to explore the best possible way of extending health care services to the public,” Dr. Al-Rabeah said. He said events running concurrently with Saudi Medicare 2010, such as ‘Saudi Eye Care 2010 – the 6th International Eye Care and Optical Technology Exhibition' and ‘Saudi Dentistry 2010 – the 9th International Dental Health Exhibition' would enable visitors belonging to all medical spheres to become acquainted with the latest advances in the health care system. Organized by the Riyadh Exhibitions Company, Saudi Medicare 2010 is held under the auspices of the Ministry of Health. The event that runs until April 15 is open to the public between 10 A.M. and 6 P.M. The four-day event also features the 1st Radiology Technologists Conference organized on the sidelines of the 4th Medical Devices Scientific Forum. About 23 medical experts participating in the conference will present papers and discuss challenges, trends and developments within the medical field and assess the prospects of the Saudi consumer health care and pharmaceuticals sector, which is expected to reach the $3.49 billion mark by 2011. The exhibition highlights the Kingdom's thriving pharmaceutical and medical device market that will respectively post estimated compound annual growth rates of 12 and seven percent until 2012. The government's allocated spending of SR61.2 billion for health care expenditure will further fuel national pharmaceutical and health care spending. Some leading local and international companies are showcasing the latest products in medical care, health services and technologies occupying an area of 7,500 sq. meters of exhibition space. This year's participation of companies represents a 30 percent increase compared with the previous year.
