Dr. Sulaiman Al Habib Medical Group, a leading healthcare provider in the Middle East, has announced revised operating hours for all its hospitals and medical centers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, specifically in Riyadh, Jeddah, Qassim, and Khobar, coinciding with the start of the holy month of Ramadan 1447 AH. This step reflects the Group's commitment to adapting to the daily routines of the community during this blessed month, while ensuring the continued provision of its medical services at the highest standards of quality and efficiency.
Background and importance of organizing health services during Ramadan
The month of Ramadan is a time of special spiritual and social significance in Saudi Arabia and the wider Muslim world, during which daily life patterns change considerably to accommodate the observance of fasting and religious observances. Recognizing these changes, major institutions, particularly in the healthcare sector, adjust their operating hours to meet the needs of both patients and staff. This adjustment is crucial in the healthcare sector to ensure that the quality of services provided is not compromised, especially for urgent and critical cases that cannot be delayed. Dr. Sulaiman Al Habib Medical Group, with its long history in the healthcare sector since its establishment in 1995, is known for its commitment to putting the patient first, and this annual announcement of its Ramadan operating hours reflects its ongoing responsiveness to the needs of the community.
Details of working hours and ongoing services
To ensure the best possible service for all patients, the outpatient clinics will operate in two shifts to cover most of the day, allowing patients to choose the most convenient time for their visits:
- Morning period: It starts daily from 10:00 AM and continues until 5:00 PM.
- Evening period: It starts at 8:00 PM and extends until 2:00 AM.
Reaffirming its commitment to patient safety, the group announced that several critical departments will continue to operate uninterrupted 24/7, including Fridays. These departments include:
- Emergency and Critical Care Departments
- Medical laboratories
- Radiology Departments
- pharmacies
Expected impact and enhancement of healthcare quality
This adjustment to working hours aims to achieve a delicate balance between work requirements and providing care, while also allowing medical and administrative staff time for religious observances. This arrangement is expected to alleviate pressure on fasting patients, as they can book appointments in the evening after breaking their fast. Furthermore, the continued operation of fully equipped emergency departments reflects the utmost importance the group places on critical cases, such as accident victims, heart attack patients, stroke victims, and pediatric, women's, and maternity emergencies. In addition, the group continues to activate its innovative digital services, such as the "Al Habib Live Care" telemedicine service, the Rapid Response Team (RRT) service for critical inpatient cases, and the home prescription refill service via the app. This enhances accessibility to healthcare and reinforces the group's position as a leading model in digital healthcare transformation at both the local and regional levels.
