| 4. In which ways is the initiative creative and innovative?
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Massive centers in different locations in six months since its inception. The project includes 1000 hemodialysis machines and equipment, dialysis centers buildings, medical/non-medical logistics, support services contracts, support services buildings, maintenance of centers, transportation means and machinery. The centers will serve 5000 patients free of charge across different regions of the kingdom. With the highest quality standards in establishment of buildings as to space, site-vitality, and easy access to services; contracts have been signed with companies experienced in construction of specialized health facilities to equip and secure these buildings with the latest systems raising quality level of services such as Reverse Osmosis equipment, provides sterilized water through thermal sterilization; Electric system, ensures continuous current with stand-by generators for patients’ safety; Medical gases stations with backup systems; High quality A/Cs equipped with negative pressure systems for isolated patients. Agreements with international companies for the supply of cutting-edge medical/non-medical equipment, etc. Contracts on disposal of medical waste with quality and safety regulation. Contracted specialized company that provides advanced communications and information technology services for the transfer of patients between the centers. Provides service cars to transfer patients in need and with special needs to and from the centers.
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| 5. Who implemented the initiative and what is the size of the population affected by this initiative?
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H.E. Dr. Bandar Al Knawy, Chief Executive Officer, Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs initiated the hemodialysis centers and headed its’ operation, all throughout the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud, His Royal Highness Prince Muqrin bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud, Second Deputy of the Prime Minister and Counsel of the Special Representative of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, launched the King Abdullah bin Abdul-Aziz Foundation for International Humanitarian Activities, Hemodialysis Project to extend care for renal failure patients on 15th of January 2014. The organization headed by Dr. Bandar Al Knawy as the Chief Executive Officer with 616 number of employees all throughout the different centers as follows: Riyadh Dialysis North Center – 145; Riyadh Dialysis South Center – 94; Hail Dialysis Center – 46; Makkah Dialysis Center – 66; Jeddah Dialysis Center – 175; Al Madinah Dialysis Center – 56; Dialysis Center Corporate Office – 34. Following the establishment of different centers across the kingdom a total of 3,354 number of patients had been treated and/or had sessions: (Riyadh Dialysis North Center: 969 patients, Riyadh Dialysis South Center: 649 patients, Jeddah Dialysis Center: 973 patients, Makkah Dialysis Center: 309 patients, Al Madina Dialysis Center: 316 patients, Hail Dialysis Center: 90 patients)
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| 6. How was the strategy implemented and what resources were mobilized?
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The action plan is to open the Hemodialysis centers all over the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the most needed areas based on the statistics of population. Two (2) dialysis centers in Riyadh (North and South) with 198 stations and Jeddah with 207 stations have been launched within the first phase of this humanitarian project which followed by the launching of other centers cities across the Kingdom. The second phase of the project launched the centers in Makkah with 100 stations, Madinah with 48 stations and Hail with 38 stations which will include a total of 230 dialysis machines for patients in need. The third phase entails 295 dialysis machines where Rafha Dialysis center is included and other nominated cities in the future. The plan is to gradually reach a capacity to provide dialysis to 5,000 patients free of charge across different regions in the Kingdom over a period of seven (7) years. The foundation has taken into such as patients monitoring, radiology equipment, etc. Contracted with other pioneering operation companies to provide housekeeping, catering, laundry and environment protection services. Agreements with medical companies to provide high quality medical items to ensure patients safety. The Foundation does not only strive to provide patients with means of comfort but is also keen to increase employees’ satisfaction through providing them with fully equipped residential units where all services are available. Also, with communication and transportation services to ensure the continuation of the operational process in the centers. As well as securing featured warehouses equipped with cooling units to store medical supplies and medications for the project’s full operation to achieve the project’s humanitarian objectives. The project cost and/or commissioning cost is about SAR400 million (USD$106.6 million) while the operational cost including manpower is SAR230 million (USD$61.3 million) annually. This important humanitarian project has acquired a high national value at both social and health levels, being a charity project at the expense of the Custodian of The Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud in continuation to his keenness in serving his country and people.
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| 7. Who were the stakeholders involved in the design of the initiative and in its implementation?
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The stakeholders involved are the following: Dr. Bandar Al Knawy, Chief Executive Officer, Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs, King Abdullah bin Abdul-Aziz Foundation for International Humanitarian Activities funded and supported under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud.
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| 8. What were the most successful outputs and why was the initiative effective?
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Acknowledging the fact that human needs are given priority in the Kingdom and emphasizing the values of their life, specialized health care is being considered an integral part of the process of development of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The launching of various dialysis centers in different location affiliated to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Foundation for Charity and Humanitarian Activities, the public have accessible centers to treat patients with a goal of optimum health care progress. Public were served in their dialysis needs delivering quality care and high quality equipment around the kingdom. Such facilities promote a humanitarian value and focus directly on the provision of dialysis care to the patients by highly qualified specialists to contribute to the development and strengthening of health services rendered in the kingdom. MNG-HA, a national healthcare institution, through providing support and experience to such humanitarian projects, has contributed to the accomplishment of such remarkable national project, which helps, in meeting the growing health needs of patients with renal failure, utilizing the highly advanced technical systems at the highest standards, and are overseen by competent doctors specialized in this area. A total of 3,354 patients from different dialysis centers gain these benefits and treatments.
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| 9. What were the main obstacles encountered and how were they overcome?
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During the planning stage, one of the obstacle in achieving accessible dialysis centers for the public is finding a good location and building. The task force strategize in finding an existing building and medical construction company was contracted. Sourcing for the equipment for dialysis is another obstacle but were able to overcome. We were able to source out good quality equipment from Germany and other supply vendors of MNG-HA. A contract has been signed with Fresenius Medical Care, the German world’s leading provider of dialysis services for over 100 countries worldwide. The company provided the latest dialysis technologies capable of advanced dialysis treatment that improves patients’ outcomes through a number of clinical features including hemodiafiltration. The renovation of the building was fast track though quality measures is in place in order to comply with the quality and patient safety. One of the most important components of hemodialysis is the availability of very pure water through establishment of Reverse Osmosis unit. Upon setting up the project, the availability of high-tech advanced water treatment systems has been taken into consideration. Therefore, the foundation has contracted with Gambro, a world leading Sweden Company to supply water treatment systems for hemodialysis units. All the treated water distribution pipes are made of approved polyethylene (PIX) that prevents the formation of Biofilm and resists high temperatures, up to 90°C. Manpower is another issue as we need specialize consultants, physicians, nurses and other health care provider for dialysis. The task force communicated with different resources including direct head hunting and through our accredited international recruitment agencies to provide suitable qualified candidates for the dialysis centers. Currently the centers are operated by highly qualified specialized manpower team. Patients are treated with quality care and assist patient to progress toward a level of optimal health.
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