Public health in the saudi health system: A search for new guardian

Abstract

Saudi Arabia has witnessed a signifi cant improvement in its health indicators. The kingdom has spent generously on the curative health services and established hundreds of hospitals and primary health care centers. However, we believe that this huge health expenditures and the presence of curative services is not the only reason for this improvement. Public health services have also had a significant impact on people's health and that this improvement is due to a combination of public health programs such as immunization, environmental sanitation and health education with good formulation of sound health policies and health delivery systems. It is noted that health plans and expenditure in the health system are concentrating on the curative aspects and there is a signifi cant weaknesses in public health services. Additionally, most jobs are allocated for curative care and there is scarcity of job titles related to public health in the health structure, such as public health offi cers, public health inspectors and public health specialists. A suggested body namely, Ministry of public health, will work to confi rm that all issues related to health of the public in every aspect of daily life in the kingdom are within the genuine interest of all policy makers.