The Saudi Critical Care Society was established in January of 2007 under the umbrella of Saudi Council for Health Specialties. We have 11 board members and 6 committees . The first task for the society was for the improvement of critical care during Hajj in the busiest and most famous city in the country – Mecca. We began this collaboration with the development of policies and procedures and mega training projects.

We have been successful in training 400 people in critical care courses during Hajj. Basic Critical Care Support , Rapid Response , Mechanical Ventilation and Fundamentals of Critical Care Support are courses which are given monthly and are the product of the Educational Committee. So far, we have trained approximately 1500 people through these courses. On a weekly basis, a Critical Care Core Lecture is presented.

The Research Comittee has organized two successful Research Day Mini Conferences.  The 1st one was held in April of 2008 and the second one in December of 2008.  There were 50 abstracts presented of completed and ongoing research.  The Research Days were critically appraised by leaders of intensive care in the country.  This has enhanced research and critical care in Saudi Arabia and has promoted critical care developments.  In 2009, we are planning to do two more Research Days to follow up on ongoing research and for preparation of our 2010 conference.

To date, we have approximately 1000 active members in our society.

The society has an active website (http://sccs-sa.org), which is updated frequently with 215 people registered from our country, region and throughout the whole world. We have a national database which is currently in the testing stages in 5 major hospitals in Saudi Arabia and when released, we have hopes to improve by comparing ourselves to other hospitals. Monthly newsletters are sent to update our members on upcoming events as well as ongoing projects which is the proceeding journal of the society. Recently, we have established a pediatric chapter as well as a respiratory chapter as part of the society. We provide ICU consultations on the websites for second opinions and to promote innovative ideas. A forum was also added to the website for professionals to communicate, exchange ideas and collaborate. Educational tools are in the website with important information. Our site is sponsored by major companies for our non-profit organization.

We have a 5 year plan to develop critical care in the country where both the 1st and 2nd year plans were successful with all targets being achieved.

To date, we have 1000 active members in our society from the Gulf region and around the world. We have had representatives and exhibitioners in 5 conferences. We have interacted in 3 critical care conferences – one in Riyadh in February 2008, one in Dubai in April 2008 and one in Kuwait in November of 2008. We are also participating in the upcoming conference in Belgium which is being held in March of this year as well as the conference in Dubai, which is being held in April of this year. The Saudi Critical Care Society has endorsed Pan Arab , the Saudi Thoracic Society as well as the Canadian Critical Care Society .

The Saudi Critical Care Society is very active in promoting the development of critical care and education in the region.

Our Mission:

• To improve the standard of care and promote the best available knowledge to Critical Care staffing in every Critical Care Unit in the Kingdom.
• Spread the ideal model of Critical Care throughout the Kingdom.
• Monitor the development of Critical Care in the Kingdom  

   

Lt. Col. Dr. Yasser Mandourah FRCP(C), FCCP,ABIM,
Director, Department of Intensive Care Services
Director, Center of Intensive Care Science and Research
Vice President of Saudi Critical Care Society (SCCS)