Khaberni - "As a first step," announced the Minister of Health, Dr. Ibrahim Badour, the launch of a new organizational and service plan aimed at alleviating the increasing pressure on the emergency departments at Al-Bashir Hospital through activating evening shifts in 5 comprehensive health centers surrounding the hospital (Al-Qweismeh, Princess Basma, Al-Nasr, Al-Muqabalein, Hay Nazzal), until 10 PM, starting from April 1st, 2026.
Dr. Badour confirmed in a press statement that this move comes in response to field readings and data which showed that approximately 65% of the cases that visit the emergency departments of Al-Bashir Hospital are classified as mild cases that can be handled within health centers, avoiding the occupation of hospital emergency resources.
Dr. Badour also pointed out that studies conducted by the Ministry of Health have shown that the number of visitors to the emergency department at Al-Bashir Hospital reaches about 3000 per day, with the larger percentage concentrated during the evening period by about 60%, 25% during the night period, and only 15% during the morning period, reflecting the presence of pressure on health services during the evening period which coincides with the closure of health centers, and confirms the need to expand service beyond traditional working hours.
He explained that these centers will offer a comprehensive package of services including family medicine,
emergency and radiology services, and laboratories, in addition to a pharmacy that dispenses monthly and daily medications until 10 PM, and welcomes its visitors during this period to distribute patients across all centers according to the patient's residence location.
He clarified that the main goal of this step is to redirect service recipients to the most appropriate health level for their condition, ensuring faster and more efficient care, and allowing the medical staff in emergency departments to focus on critical cases requiring immediate intervention.
He also requested to supply these centers with larger quantities and varieties of medications, suitable for the number of visitors and the types of diseases, especially monthly ones, and also to give specialists flexibility in prescribing monthly medications that patients regularly take from their doctor.
He called on residents near the five health centers included in the plan to take advantage of this initiative and to visit these centers for mild emergency cases during the evening period and to receive their monthly medications instead of visiting the emergency department of Al-Bashir Hospital to avoid longer waiting periods and to ensure faster and more organized service.
Dr. Badour mentioned that the ministry views this initiative as the first phase of a comprehensive plan, which will be built upon to gradually expand the experience in other areas based on performance indicators and the level of satisfaction among service recipients, confirming that improving the patient experience and enhancing the efficiency of the health system are fundamental focus points in the ministry's policies in the upcoming phase.
The minister emphasized that enhancing the capabilities of health centers is a fundamental pillar in the development of primary health care, which serves as the first line of defense in the health system, and this will positively reflect on reducing congestion in hospitals and improving the quality of service and reducing waiting times.
