Healthcare | Monday 1 January, 2018 9:14 am |

Minister of Health Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah honored 232 students at a graduation ceremony held at King Saud Medical City (KSMC) in Riyadh.

KSMC had sponsored the students to enroll in accredited academic and training programs in the Kingdom and abroad.

In a speech on the occasion, Al-Rabiah said the KSMC is considered to be one of the leading institutions in medical training in the Kingdom.

“The medical city has 38 accredited training programs in various fields including rare specialties,” he said.

The minister said he was very pleased with the high number of medical graduates especially at a time when the country was celebration the third anniversary of the pledge of allegiance to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman.

Al-Rabiah said healthcare in the Kingdom is witnessing a major transition based on the standards and requirements of World Health Organization. “The internal and external scholarship programs have always been given a great attention by our wise leadership in the Kingdom. Thus, these programs can be considered as a great incentive for the growth and development of the Saudi youth where they will have the tools to be prepared for the future,” he said.

The KSMC has made a tremendous effort in developing its manpower through sponsoring students to enroll in programs internally and externally. Currently 102 students are enrolled in external accredited institutions scattered in countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Germany, South Africa and Sweden.

On the other hand, the number of sponsored students enrolled in different local universities and training centers reached 103.

In the past two years, KSMC graduated 121 physicians, 36 nurses, 38 paramedical staff and 27 administrators.

CEO of KSMC Dr. Haitham Al-Falah expressed his thanks and appreciation to the minister for attending the ceremony. He said the minister’s presence ensured his usual support and care for the development of the Saudi youth.

“The academic and scientific renaissance in the Kingdom is rapidly growing year after year due to the notable efforts led by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman, who believes that our nation is built by the hands of its people,” Dr. Al-Falah said.

“Our celebration today is a national celebration, which comes during the third anniversary of the pledge of allegiance to King Salman, who has been always keen in the investment of the Saudi manpower,” he added.

Al-Falah emphasized that “this academic renaissance has always been a priority for KSMC as it corresponds to the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 led by Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman.”

Concluding his speech, Dr. Al-Falah said, “For more than 65 years, KSMC has been a pioneer in the development of medical services in the Kingdom. KSMC was built not only for treating patients but also to be a place for medical education and training. A large number of leading physicians have had their training here.

“Today, KSMC is considered the largest training facility in the Kingdom as it holds more than 38 board certified medical programs, including rare specialties. This year, we are happy that this achievement was crowned by the approval of the minister of health to establish an academy specialized in family medicine.”

Director of Academic Affairs at KSMC Dr. Abdullah Al-Fawzan congratulated the graduates who realized that “there is nothing impossible and there is always room for creativity and advancement.”

He said, “While celebrating its achievements, the KSMC is keen to provide more opportunities for the Saudi youth in continuing their education and medical training, which will positively contribute to our country’s development as well as to realize the goals of its Vision 2030.”