F1000Research (Jun 2024)

Empowering Maneuvers: Boldly Mobilizing Military Medical Research and Training within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Safeguard a Nation and its People. [version 1; peer review: 2 approved]

  • Richard Mottershead,
  • Essam Burhan,
  • Nafi Alonaizi,
  • Nabeel Al-Yateem,
  • Hasan Alriaini,
  • Yasser Mandourah

Journal volume & issue
Vol. 13

Abstract

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In 2023 Alkhathami and colleagues from the Prince Sultan Military College of Health Sciences highlighted the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s transformative upgrades across various sectors, notably including enhancements to the healthcare system, and called for action to extend these upgrades to the military healthcare field. Prompted by this call to action, the leadership of the military healthcare system swiftly commenced initiatives, acting in less than three months from this pivotal appeal. In January 2023 the first author ordered a decree via the General Directorate of Armed Forces Medical Services of Saudi Arabia, in collaboration with US central Command and international partners, to host the 3rd International Conference of Military Medicine. The event graciously welcoming more than 1000 military representatives from 20 participating nations. The Military Medical Conference, fostering a global military community dialogue on the necessity to explore collective capacities to endure and overcome humanitarian challenges, thereby sustaining health, promoting well-being, and nurturing life through strategies that align with the insights of Alkhathami et al. (2023). The response and the need underlined by the original article are discussed by the Major General, staff of the Saudi Military Medical Services and academics from the University of Sharjah.

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