JEDDAH – Many patients, including undocumented workers, have been lying in private hospitals in Jeddah for months because they are unable to foot the exorbitant costs of treatment. The Okaz daily visited several private hospitals and found that the majority of such cases had been involved in traffic accidents and transported by ambulances from the Saudi Red Crescent Authority (SRCA).

A large number of the patients could not be taken to government hospitals due to the unavailability of beds; therefore, they were shifted to private hospitals where the cost of treatment reached tens of thousands of riyals in some cases. The Ministry of Health was petitioned to pay the bills but it declined to do so. Many of the patients are low income workers who suffer from critical conditions that require around-the-clock medical care.

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Dr. Safia Sherbini, a prominent endocrinology and diabetes consultant, said during a phone-in program conducted Tuesday by the Ministry of Health: “Diabetics should be careful about their intake of medicines, which can lead to various problems when consumed without medical advice.”

 

She insisted patients can only take paracetamol without prescription.

 

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BAISH: A man in his thirties went to a health care center in Baish, complaining of a toothache and was dead within an hour, local daily Al-Madinah reported Sunday.

The Health Affairs department in Jazan has opened an investigation into the cause of death. Acting spokesman of the department Hussain Maashi said the passports of the members of the medical and technical team which dealt with the case had been confiscated.

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Al-Amal Complex for Mental Health in Need of Dire Improvements

Numerous patients have been successfully treated at Al-Amal Complex for Mental Health in the Eastern Province. However, these patients are not welcomed back by their families after the treatment is completed.

 

According to Dr. Riyadh Al-Wanin, Consultant Psychiatrist at the hospital, 40 percent patients with psychiatric disorders have stabilized and their conditions have improved tremendously, but their families have rejected them and refuse to take them back. “We have number of patients who have been neglected by their family members and have been residing at the hospital for more than 20 years. The extended presence of these stabilized patients negatively impacts their psychological health because they are compelled to interact and mix with new patients admitted to the hospital with severe mental illnesses, which are yet to be treated. In addition, patients with extended stay put a strain on the budget, services, and staff of the hospital,” said Dr. Al-Wanin.

 

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Medical Fraternity Divided Over Palm Oil in Infant Formula

Heated debate has ensued between the proponents and opponents on the use of palm oil in manufactured infant formula. The medical fraternity is split between those who believe that palm oil poses serious health risks and those who advocate the use of palm oil as a safe and healthy source of fat.

 

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Overflowing drains provide a breeding ground for dangerous disease carrying insects in Jeddah. (Okaz photo)JEDDAH: Local medical sources in Jeddah have confirmed that there are more than 12 dengue fever cases being reported here every week, which shows infections are on the rise. Previous reports showed that cases had dropped to 10 and even eight a week.

 

Prince Mish’al Bin Majed Bin Abdul Aziz, Governor of Jeddah, has directed the Jeddah Mayoralty, the General Administration for Agricultural Affairs and Directorate of Health Affairs to work together to eradicate the disease.

 

The sources said dengue fever has been spreading in Jeddah due to environmental factors and urged health directorate officials to launch intensive awareness campaigns to enlighten the public about preventive measures.

 

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Seven Breast Cancer Cases Detected in Jeddah Survey

JEDDAH: Seven breast cancer cases were detected during the Health Affairs Department’s latest survey in Jeddah, announced Dr. Sami Badawood Monday at Jeddah Radisson Blu Hotel.

The campaign started under the patronage of Jeddah Health Affairs Department  in cooperation with King Abdualziz Hospital’s  Cancer Center and King Fahd General Hospital.

Badawood advised all women to visit Jeddah medical centers and hospitals to undergo mammogram tests.

“The aim of our latest survey is to detect the disease in its early stages, as this can help in quick recovery. The first phase of the campaign finished with the discovery of seven cases in its beginning. The survey includes 1,167 cases,” said Badawood.

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Ayesha (may Allah be pleased with her) quoted Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) as having said: “Ten things are part of one’s natural disposition: Trimming the moustache, growing a beard, (using) the miswak, sniffing water, cutting the nails, washing hands, plucking armpits, shaving pubic hair and conserving water.” (Muslim)

 

At another place, Ayesha (may Allah be pleased with her) said: “The Prophet (pbuh) said, “It (i.e. siwak) is a purification for the mouth and it is a way of seeking the pleasure of God.”

 

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Ministry of Health Launches Pregnancy Health Record System

JEDDAH - Ministry of Health recently launched a project which aims to maintain the health records of all pregnant women and their children starting from the time the woman first receives pre-natal care and ending when the baby is five years old.

 

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DAMMAM – A US research firm plans to open two cell therapy centers in the Middle East to treat heart disease patients in the light of the increase of cardiovascular disease in the region.

 

“Increasing economic wealth in the Middle East and North Africa has been accompanied by urbanization. Cardiovascular disease, a corollary to urban life, has been increasing rapidly and is now the region’s leading cause of death, accounting for 25 to 45 percent of all deaths,” said Dr. Karl E. Groth, Chairman and CEO of Bioheart, a cell therapy research organization whose goals are to enable damaged tissue to be regenerated, and to improve a patient’s quality of life and reduce health care costs and hospitalizations.

 

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