Press Review of the week

February 7th 2011

While social and political unrest spreads to arab world, the governments invest overwhelmingly in health sector. As says the Jordan Times, Jordan announced the establishment of a 190 million euros (US$256 million) Royal University for Medical Sciences. Saudi Arabia plans to “ensure robust healthcare system” in 2011 to nearly US$19 billion owing to Saudi Gazette. For the Khaleej Times, between 2011 and 2013, the UAE plans to develop its hospitals and health centers through a plan of US$280 million. In Iraq, an Australian company has started the implementation of a 400-bed hospital project costing about US$135 million in Qadisiya province, as says AKNews. We bear in mind the headlines last August 2010 about the wasted billions in rebuilding Iraq.

Lebanon has announced an intensive campaign to develop the quality of primary care: through a support from Canada, professionals will be trained and 20 primary care centers will be part of the initial project, said the National Post.

Improving the quality and safety of primary health care services through accreditation is a key component of health reform in Lebanon,” says Professor Mohamed Jawad Khalifeh, Minister of Public Health in Lebanon

Even if strong institutional partnerships are forged, like between Canada and KSA, political efforts will benefit to private sector. And health can radically become a two-tier health!