Saudi Arabia is in danger of failing to meet crucial targets set out in the Kingdom’s ninth development plan for 2010 to 2014, according to a post published in the Saudi Gazette, based on information from the Arabic-language Al-Eqtisadiah.
A report noted that Saudi Arabia was missing key health targets. Photo via SPA.
“With only two months left until the end of 2014, the ministry is far from reaching its targets, according to reports for last year. One of the targets was to make a total of 97,500 beds available in the country,” the Saudi Gazette reported. “However, 2013 reports show that only 10,950 new beds were provided, bringing the total number to 64,780 beds. Therefore, a shortfall of over 32,760 beds still needs to be met by the end of the year.”
The Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has had its hands full this year in countering threats from Ebola and the MERS coronavirus. On April 21st, 2014, King Abdullah relieved then-Health Minister Abdullah Alrabeeah from his post and doubled the duties of Labor Minister Adel bin Mohammed Fakeih, who has ever since assumed the Health ministry’s responsibilities.
Although MERS failed to spread in the same way as Ebola, the virus has not been defeated. According to Reuters, the Health Ministry announced a total of 23 confirmed new cases this month of the virus.
