Saudi Arabia to set up national center for evidence-based medicine

King Salman bin Abdulaziz on Monday has approved the Saudi Health Council’s (SHC) decision to set up the national center for evidence-based medicine (EBM), the official Saudi Press Agency reported.

Unified codes for units of measure at laboratories will be used in all health sectors and medical tests across the Kingdom. The new move aims to enhance the general hygiene system.

The Central Board for Accreditation of Healthcare Institutions (CBAHI), with other private hospitals equipped for receiving heart attack patients will be accredited by SHC.

Specialist hospitals and medical cities are required to adopt a “Hub & Spokes” joint cooperation program. The initiative will be implemented across the Saudi provinces most in need.

Its first phase aims to link oncology units in Arar, Madinah and Aseer to specialist hospitals.

SHC will also apply a unified referral system for all healthcare service providers under the Ministry of Health’s Referral Program.

A new mechanism will be adopted to regulate the purchase of radiotherapy, medical imaging and cyclotron machines.