The Council shall undertake the powers stipulated in Article (17) of the Health Law issued by Royal Decree No. (M/11) dated (23/03/1423 AH) and Article (17 L) of its Implementing Regulations, which stipulates that the Council shall have the following powers:
a) Preparing the Kingdom's Healthcare Strategy.
b) Developing a system for operating hospitals that are managed by the
Ministry or other government agencies, in accordance with efficient
management principles and performance and quality control criteria.
c) Setting an appropriate policy for coordination and cooperation between all healthcare service providers, specifically in the following areas:
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Primary, secondary, and specialized healthcare services.
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Emergency and medical evacuation services.
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Referral of patients.
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Provision of medicines and medical equipment and supplies, as well as
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the optimal use thereof.
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Education, training, and employment of health professionals.
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Conducting health studies and research.
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Provision of healthcare services to pilgrims.
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Promoting health awareness among the public.
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Development of environmental health.
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Exchange of expertise of specialists between the various health institutions.
Council of Ministers' Resolution No. (418) dated (29/10/1435 AH) granted the Council the following additional powers:
d) Assessing and reviewing health policies and plans periodically.
e) Assessing and reviewing health services; determining the needs of the health sector; adopting the recommendations on the distribution of various health services in the Kingdom's provinces; and enhancing health services.
f) Implementing the policies, plans, programs, and projects provided for in the Kingdom's Healthcare Strategy and overcoming any obstacles thereto in coordination with the relevant agencies.
g) Coordinating with government agencies that provide health services in establishing hospitals and in implementing health projects and specialized health programs.
h) Reviewing laws relating to health services and proposing amendments thereto.
i) Forming specialized committees at the Secretariat or the Kingdom's provinces to support the Council in the performance of its duties and determining their functions and work procedures as well as the rights and duties of their members.
j) Issuing the Council's regulatory, administrative, and financial regulations in agreement with the Ministry of Finance, and adopting the organizational structure of the Secretariat in coordination with the secretariat of the Higher Commission for Administrative Organization.
