Volunteer doctors assured govt help

Health Minister Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah said Saturday his ministry would provide required facilities and services for those doctors who like to offer voluntary services to the needy. The minister was speaking during an open house dialogue sponsored by Enaya, a social service organization, in cooperation with the Health Services Council of the Council of Saudi Chambers of Commerce and Industry in Riyadh. “We would offer all forms of assistance to such volunteers,” Al-Rabeeah told reporters following the conference. In his address, Al-Rabeeah said the platform provides for a social integration of civil societies with the health service providers. Commending the role of charitable organizations that offer various services to the needy, Al-Rabeeah insisted social service organizations and scientific bodies should be distinct. “There should be no mix-up between these two bodies,” the minister cautioned, pointing out that social service organizations should not become business-oriented bodies. “Social service organizations should not engage in clinical practices to help the needy since that part of the service could be rendered by scientific bodies that are manned by technically qualified people.” The minister requested the Ministry of Social Affairs to develop a set of revised guidelines for social service institutions to streamline their activities. “This will avoid a duplication of services offered by different nongovernmental organizations and help them find a line of respective activities to serve the needy.” Dr. Abdullah bin Mohammed Al-Mutlaq, adviser to the Royal Court and member of the Standing Committee for Scientific Research and Issuing Fatwas, said: “Medical services offered free by doctors to the poor can be considered part of their annual Zakah.”