Health services delivery in Asir, Saudi Arabia: regional experience of integration

This paper presents the local experience of the General Directorate of Health Affairs in Asir, Saudi Arabia, regarding integration of health services. The geographical, sociodemographic and administrative situations of the region necessitate this approach. A historical background of the development of health services in the region in the recent past is presented. Restructuring of the health system, changes in management functions and advantages of integration of health services are discussed

Referral system in the Asir region, Saudi Arabia: knowledge, attitude and practice of physicians working in urban areas-a comparative study of governmental and private health sectors

A comparative study of knowledge, attitude and practice regarding referral system was undertaken among all governmental primary health care and private dispensary physicians [56 and 50 respectively] in Abha and Kamis, Asir Region. Results show that knowledge about referral is adequate in both groups, but the attitudes and practice of both groups need to be positively modified specially among the private sector physicians. The paper recommends more orientation programs for both groups of physicians and urges the private sector physicians to be more involved in Ministry of Health training programs and activities. Cooperation in referral between the private sector and government hospitals is seen as one way of improving health care in Saudi Arabia