Al-Soma said that 1,000 e-services have been provided to people from 126 government sectors, and no single ministry has refused to use e-services. "However, there are a lot of challenges, but definitely it will come soon because it is receiving wide support. Though Saudi e-government lacks sufficient human resources, skilled staff and strong leadership to introduce much needed change and impact, we hope that by the end of the five-year plan in 2015, Saudi Arabia will adopt complete e-governance services," he said.
Read more: Saudi Arabia to adopt e-governance by 2015, says Ali Al-Soma
Raid Mohammad Al-Hussain, spokesperson for the Passport Department in Makkah province, confirmed that the new service is already in operation with all three of the country's mobile phone service providers — STC, Mobily and Zain.
The visa can be downloaded from the site http://sms.evisa.com.sa with the visa number and confirmation number sent via SMS.
The five-year project is aimed at transforming the healthcare delivery in Saudi Arabia, Dr Mohammed R. Alyemeni, adviser to the Minister of Health & general supervisor of ICT.
He elaborates on the Kingdom's plan to digitally integrate over 300 Saudi hospitals during his speech at the three-day event.
Read more: Saudi Arabia unveils largest healthcare tech project in GCC
Saudi Arabia’s five-year project, which is the largest healthcare technology project ever attempted in the nation, is looking to incorporate elements addressing quality of care, cost containment, health system management and research needs.
Read more: Saudi Arabia’s e-health plans bank on other nations’ failure
The five year project is aimed at transforming the healthcare delivery in Saudi Arabia, said a top official ahead of the 'HIMSS Middle East 2010 Conference.'