RIYADH: The Ministry of Health released its 2011 annual report yesterday. Health Minister Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah said his ministry is entrusted with the provision of preventive, acute and rehabilitative health care for the Kingdom’s population. It provides primary health care service through a network of more than 2,000 health care centers.
Al-Rabeeah said their accomplishments were possible with the help of the cooperation extended by both Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah and Crown Prince Salman, minister of defense and aviation. “With their help, we are able to provide state-of-the-art health care to the people in the Kingdom,” he added.
The annual report includes a report on health indicators, communicable and noncommunicable diseases, health and human resources and the performance of the Ministry of Health, government agencies such as university hospitals and the private sector.
An overview of health care service, health care facilities and a snapshot of service delivery, including admissions, clinical testing, treatment, surgery, and services provided to pilgrims during Haj, are outlined in the report.
By the end of 2011, 251 hospitals and 2,109 primary health care centers with a total of 34,450 beds were staffed by more than 250,000 male and female employees.
The primary health care centers treated 55 million patients, while hospital outpatient clinics treated 11.5 million people. Emergency departments handled 20 million patients.
More than 430,000 surgeries were carried out and 256,000 births registered. Laboratory tests totaled 137 million and X-ray examinations totaled 84 million.
The Ministry of Health employs 69,226 doctors, 1,487 pharmacists, 134,632 nurses and 78,823 medical assistants. The ministry employs 58,197 Saudi employees.
By the end of 2011, 621 primary health care centers were established and planning for a further 706 is under way. The King Khalid Medical City will serve the Eastern Region, the King Faisal Medical City will provide service to the southern region and Prince Mohammed Bin Abdulaziz Medical City the northern region.
Specialized hospitals and medical facilities currently providing service include: King Fahd Medical City in Riyadh, King Abdullah Medical City in Makkah, King Fahd Specialist Hospital in Dammam, and the King Khalid Eye Specialist Hospital in Riyadh.
These facilities offer highly specialized world class service including organ-transplantation, oncology and advanced surgery. The King Abdullah Hospital in Makkah is renowned for oncology treatment, open-heart surgery and treatment of retinal disease.
The ministry’s preventive medicine and health awareness program has seen the introduction of five new vaccines to the basic vaccination program for children: staphylococcus, rotavirus, meningitis, chickenpox and hepatitis.
58,197 Saudis work for Health Ministry
58,197 Saudis work for Health Ministry
Jeddah students get closer look at electric motorsport
- A PIF-linked initiative highlights technical and engineering careers behind electric racing events
JEDDAH: Students from local and international schools in Jeddah were introduced to STEM-related career pathways in electric motorsport this week, as part of an education program linked to the UIM E1 World Championship held on the Red Sea.
The sessions formed part of Driving Force Presented by the Public Investment Fund, an initiative run by Formula E and its electric racing series partners, to familiarize students aged eight to 18 with science, technology, engineering and mathematics through electric racing and sustainability-focused industries.
The programme took place alongside the 2026 E1 Jeddah GP and included workshops, school visits and trackside access designed to show how engineering, data, broadcast technology and event operations function within professional motorsport.
According to organisers, the initiative reached more than 60,000 students globally in 2025, with further expansion planned this year.
HIGHLIGHTS
• The program took place alongside the 2026 E1 Jeddah GP and included workshops, school visits and trackside access.
• Students learned about E1 races and their technical and environmental dimensions and discussed the engineering and marine aspects of electric boats.
• According to organisers, the initiative reached more than 60,000 students globally in 2025, with further expansion planned this year.
John Williams, managing director at E1, told Arab News: “The PIF is absolutely vital to everything we do here at the E1. They were crucial initial investment partner since the start of the championship and they continue to support us in a number of ways and more specifically around the Driving Force program.”
Elaborating more on the program, he said: “What we are doing is presenting and showing these students the available careers of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, as well as careers in sports, not only pilots but also engineers and mechanics.”
Williams added that the main key to the program was bringing a new generation to the mechanism of sport.
“We are introducing to these exciting new technologies around the race but it could be our technology on the boat or our broadcast products, as well as how to manage the event its self. There are a range of opportunities to show it to the children in addition to enjoying the excitement of the race and meeting the pilots.”
The program’s Jeddah activities began at King Abdulaziz University’s faculty of maritime studies, where students took part in a hands-on workshop focused on STEM careers in the motorsport and sustainability areas conducted by technology experts and famous water pilots such as Dani Clos, Emma Kimilainen and Patricia Pita.
Students learned about E1 races and their technical and environmental dimensions and discussed the engineering and marine aspects of electric boats.
They also enjoyed exclusive behind-the-scenes access at the E1 Jeddah GP, pilot meet-and-greets, and front-row seats to watch the RaceBird boats in action.
