Transport issues main reason for absence by Saudi female nurses

Saudi Gazette report JAZAN — The absence of 27 percent of Saudi female nurses from duty was attributed to transportation problems, a new study revealed. During a meeting on Friday of the directors of health institutes in the region, Jazan Health Affairs Director Dr. Ahmad Al-Sahly said the role of nurses in the health system is vital. According to the study quoted by Al-Watan daily, the breakdown of reasons for absences is: Transportation problems (27 percent), family and social reasons (23 percent), health reasons (11 percent), social occasions (8 percent), sickness of another family member (8 percent), psychological pressures from the workplace (8 percent), dissatisfaction of shift schedules (6 percent), low job satisfaction (6 percent) and unforeseeable circumstances such as floods or traffic accidents (4 percent). Dr. Al-Sahly added the directorate and the health sector must work together to minimize absences of nurses from the workplace. Jazan Health Affairs Nursing Director Musa Al-Nikhaifi said the directorate has hired 4,783 Saudi nurses during the past year. “Of them, 2,050 work in hospitals and 1,193 work for the health centers. The nurses are hired through the website of the directorate or by the hospitals directly,” said Al-Nikhaifi. He said the directorate provides dormitories for nurses who face transportation issues. “Some of the clinics and hospitals are located in remote regions. By living next to the workplace, the nurses are able to work with ease and are not stressed about getting to work and then returning home afterward,” said Al-Nikhaifi. He added the directorate also offers scholarships and training programs for the nurses. “During the past year, the directorate trained a total of 738 nurses. It also granted 38 nurses internal scholarships and six nurses with external scholarships. The directorate is working on a loyalty program to decrease the turnover rate of employees in the region's health sector,” said Al-Nikhaifi.