Residents in the city are complaining about the shortage of the BCG vaccine that is given to newborn babies for prevention against Tuberculosis (TB).
Government health centers, hospitals and clinics in the private sector are unable to provide children with the life-saving vaccine due to its scarcity. Parents have been repeatedly informed about the shortage of the BCG vaccine by the health centers over the last few months.
Ajaz Qazi, a resident complained that he could not have his newborn baby vaccinated. “After waiting for an hour in a private hospital for the vaccine we were informed that it was not available and they asked us to visit after two days. It was only after several visits to the hospital that our baby was finally vaccinated.”
He said there has never been a shortage of vaccines in Jeddah. He added that it was difficult for working parents to visit hospitals, line up for hours and then be told that the vaccine was not available.
Another Saudi mother from Jeddah voiced her concern over the absence of the vaccine saying: “I have been visiting and calling several government clinics that offer the vaccines free of charge to Saudi nationals only to find out that they are still waiting to receive the BCG vaccine from the Ministry of Health without giving us any reason for the delay.”
Umm Ahmed said, “The hospitals should make the BCG vaccine available at all times as it is the most important vaccination for newborn babies.”
Zehra Abdullah, a nurse working in a public clinic in Jeddah, said: “When the clinic began running out of the vaccine, we called many of the patients who had been waiting for it to notify them. After it was made available we informed them again to come in with their children.”
However, a few health centers told Arab News that it is not possible to stockpile the vaccine in advance as it has a short shelf-life and that it was the shortage of supply which is causing the delay.
The BCG vaccine is also given to older children and adults who might be at risk of TB. Residents have highlighted this problem to various hospital managements.
Shortage of BCG vaccine looms
Shortage of BCG vaccine looms
Where We Are Going Today: Nakhat Marga
- For the main course, the menu offers a variety of meat and chicken dishes, but the must-try is madhgout laham, a flavorful one-pot meal of spiced meat slow-cooked with rice and served hot
Nakhat Marga, with locations in Al-Naeem and Al-Waha in Jeddah, is a restaurant that focuses on traditional Saudi meat and broth dishes, making it a fitting choice to celebrate Saudi Founding Day.
The menu is structured around classic dishes, offering a wide selection of meats, chicken, and accompanying sides that reflect the culinary heritage of the Kingdom.
We began with jareesh, a creamy, savory porridge, and marqa, a slow-cooked stew of tender meat, onions, garlic, and different spices, simmered to create a rich broth.
For the main course, the menu offers a variety of meat and chicken dishes, but the must-try is madhgout laham, a flavorful one-pot meal of spiced meat slow-cooked with rice and served hot.
If you are looking for other rice options, red meat madhbi is cooked in a traditional style, with muqlaqil and maknoom offering familiar tastes that many in Jeddah would recognize from home-cooked meals.
Among the chicken dishes, kabli stands out for its balanced flavor, but the must try is the maqluba which is served in a generous portion, layering rice and chicken in the classic inverted style. The taste is so good that you may end up eating more than you expected.
Side dishes such as liver and moussaka were consistent with their descriptions and went well with the mains, not too heavy or filling. I also tried the yogurt cucumber salad, which offered a simple, cooling contrast to the heavier meat dishes.
Desserts such as basbousa are served with a dipping sauce, while marsa, made from semolina, sugar, butter, and flavored with cardamom, is similar in texture to basbousa but may vary slightly in ingredients and taste different.
Aseedah is a must-try when visiting, delivering a comforting taste of Saudi cuisine with its soft, traditional porridge served with butter, honey, or date syrup.
The restaurant’s atmosphere leans more toward functional but traditional dining rather than an elaborate experience, which keeps the focus on the food itself.
