By Amal Al-Saeed Okaz/Saudi Gazette RIYADH — Many patients suffering from dangerous diseases do not get specialized treatment at public hospitals due to a dearth of beds, doctors and paramedical staff. Patients and their relatives have called upon the authorities to find a quick solution to this chronic problem. Some patients have to wait several months to get an appointment to meet a specialist or get admission to a specialist hospital. Experts have called for greater coordination between public and private hospitals to ensure better healthcare services. Dr. Noura Al-Jarba, a general practitioner and a specialist in emergency medicine, emphasized the need to activate family doctor program to solve this problem to a great extent. This program will mitigate the suffering of patients to some extent, she told Okaz/Saudi Gazette. Nada Yousuf, a specialist in healthcare information, emphasized the need to appoint more doctors and nurses at public hospitals to meet the needs of a growing population. We can solve the problem of long waiting lists by introducing a visiting doctor system, increasing working hours of doctors and nurses, and strengthening manpower and infrastructure in hospitals across the country, she explained. Yousuf said hospitals should give preference to patients who need immediate attention and treatment to save their lives and avoid serious complications. Salman Al-Malki of Saudi Television attributed the delay in receiving hospital appointment to many reasons, including an increase in the number of patients, a lack of specialized hospitals to meet requirements of an increasing population, a weak hospital management and the shortage of staff. As a result, patients are forced to wait for months or approach private hospitals for treatment spending huge amounts of money, he told Okaz/Saudi Gazette. He said private hospitals give high salaries and attractive incentives to their consultants and specialists. Al-Malki called for greater coordination between public and private hospitals and for introducing a government medical insurance system with the support of private hospitals. A special department should be opened at public hospitals to organize appointments. Its staff should be given powers to give priority to patients suffering from chronic diseases and facing dangerous conditions, he explained. Manal Al-Saif, a sculptor, emphasized the need for opening more public hospitals and appointment of specialists to solve the problem of long waiting lists of patients. She said health centers in residential districts should have specialist doctors. Jazi Al-Taleb said, The long delay in receiving appointments for doctors and hospital admission would worsen the condition of patients. Our problem is not a lack of hospitals and doctors but the poor healthcare management. She stressed that hospitals and doctors should carry out their duties sincerely. They should be ready to receive patients without any outside influence or wasta, she added. Al-Taleb said the Health Ministry was capable of extending better health services to citizens. Hind Mohammed said the delay in getting appointment at public and private hospitals has created a health crisis in the country while Najah Al-Aqeel called for opening special clinics for the elderly and special need patients to help them receive better health services without waiting in hospitals.