EVALUATION OF NEWBORN CARE IN THE KINGDOM OF SAUDI-ARABIA - A 1ST STEP TOWARD REGIONALIZATION OF PERINATAL-CARE

The newborn care facilities, policies, and patient load in the perinatal care centers (PNCCs) in Saudi Arabia were assessed in 1985 as a first step toward providing data that would be needed in formulating plans for the optimal regionalization of perinatal care. A total of 110 PNCCs based in 52 towns and villages were surveyed using on-site evaluation. The Ministry of Health, with 60 (55%) of the 110 PNCCs, is the major health care provider, while 33 (30%) belong to private organizations. The Armed Forces, universities, and other government agencies account for 17 (15%). There was an annual total of 212,048 live births in the PNCCs. Except for variability in the distribution of Level III centers, there was good correlation between the number of live births per year and the number of PNCCs in the different parts of the Kingdom. Few of the Level III centers provide outreaching educational programs or assist in neonatal transportation. A shortage of medical and nursing staff for neonatal care was found. The importance of the data for regionalization of perinatal care in the Kingdom is highlighted.