Hospital in Saudi unveils home service, videoconferencing initiatives to avoid COVID-19 contagion

JEDDAH — Saudi German Hospitals (SGH) Group revealed the implementation of a set of initiatives that have been developed to help ensure that its patients and the rest of the community can continue to access world-class medical care amid the current challenges being faced by patients due to the emergence of the coronavirus (COVID - 19).

Makarem Sobhi Batterjee, President, SGH Group, said: “We are fully committed to continuously provide the highest level of healthcare services while ensuring the safety of our patients, visitors and staff in all of our medical facilities. We continue to uphold best practices and preventive measures that can help stop the spread of COVID – 19 and protect everyone’s health and wellbeing. In line with these goals, we have launched a set of new rules and facilities that will enable our patients to safely access the best possible healthcare experience amidst the current situation.”

Some of these initiatives include the Saudi German Hospital ‘At Home’ services, which enables patients to request for SGH doctors and medical staff to visit to their residence and to easily and seamlessly order medication from the comfort of their home. SGH Group has also developed specific measures designed to address the needs of the elderly and those with chronic health conditions.

The hospitals group has also expanded the capabilities of its emergency departments to accommodate more cases in a quick and efficient manner. SGH group has also dedicated a free hotline where social workers will address the concerns that members of the community may have.

Furthermore, the group has introduced video consultations that will enable patients to access physicians remotely from the comfort of their home through videoconferencing.

These initiatives are in addition to the already extensive work that the hospitals group has been doing to serve the community through its participation in the ‘Health Heroes’ campaign, which has provided awareness sessions, distribution of information and hand sanitizers in over 100 locations across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

SGH reiterated that it has been implementing the highest international best practices in healthcare standards and policies. The group continues to cooperate and maintain strong communication ties with the local health authorities while the staff are fully aware and trained on handling matters related to the prevention of the spread of the virus.

It further called on patients, visitors, and the public to give the utmost importance to hand hygiene, especially at these times, and highlighted that the hospital’s hygiene policy is well in place as physicians, nurses, and other staff are mandated to implement this practice before they enter and after exiting all patient rooms, touching objects and surfaces, as well as before and after putting on gloves, among other instances.