Al-Falih: No move to privatize hospitals

Minister of Health Khalid Al-Falih has denied rumors that the ministry is looking into privatizing government hospitals, noting that the government is building new and advanced hospitals.
He said that if there is any consideration of privatizing hospitals, it would be in the long run.
Regarding medical insurance for citizens, Al-Falih said citizens are provided with the health care services and are cared for by the state, particularly by the Ministry of Health as well as other government authorities. 
He urged citizens not to worry about the issue of universal health care coverage, as there are long-term plans under study to introduce strategic change and radical reforms to the health care sector, which will be announced at a later date. 
Al-Falih assured citizens, especially the residents of Madinah, that there are concrete steps being taken to develop health services, improve the infrastructure of hospitals, increase the number of trained medical cadres, improve systems used by the Ministry of Health, expand health insurance coverage for citizens and expats in the private sector, and to improve health insurance services in private hospitals.
Regarding the problem of managing patient appointments in some hospitals, he said extending working hours could be one of the solutions.