Saudi medical and paramedical workers who routinely come into contact with patients suffering from highly infectious diseases will receive a SR750 ($200) monthly allowance under a proposal by the Saudi Health Ministry.
The plan, which has still to receive final approval, is said to be in response to fears from the medical community in the wake of the spread of the coronavirus, especially among people working in emergency units and pathology laboratories, Arab News reported.
The issue gained particular prominence after a male Saudi nurse working at King Abdulaziz Hospital in Jeddah was diagnosed with the disease.
“The Ministry of Health has pledged to protect medical and paramedical personnel through the introduction of insurance against infectious diseases,” Sami Badawood, Jeddah Health Affairs director, was quoted as saying.
The ministry has since embarked on testing hospital workers to ensure they were virus free.
The newspaper said staff at clinics in Jeddah and King Abdulaziz Hospital were found to be free of infectious diseases, with similar tests conducted at King Fahd Hospital, Badawood said.
“The ministry is launching several awareness and orientation programs to train staff on how to protect themselves from catching these diseases while on duty,” he said.
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