1. By Saud Alsulaiman & Dr. Terry Rentner
The Coronavirus Crisis in Saudi Arabia: A Critical Review of Campaign Efforts to Reduce the Spread of the Virus By
Saud Alsulaiman & Dr. Terry Rentner

2. The Ministry of Health (MOH)
The MOH Was established in 1951
Regulate all health affairs across the kingdom
Around 6%-7% (12% in 2016) of the country budget goes annually to the MOH
There are more than 260 hospitals and outpatient clinics

3. What is Coronavirus? The WHO defines the Middle East Respiratory
Syndrome (MERS) as a “viral respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus” or MERS-CoV. (WHO, 2014)
Individuals who have MERS-Cov typically develop severe acute respiratory illness, like fever, cough, shortness of breath, congestion in the nose or throat, or diarrhea (CDC, 2014a; MOH, 2014)

4. What is Coronavirus?
First case of the virus was reported in Saudi Arabia in
September of 2012
Health officials identified later that the first case of MERS occurred in April of 2012 in Jordan
Most cases have happened in the Arabian peninsula, but also many Western countries have witnessed MERS cases (WHO, 2014)

5. Initial Response There was no response, really!!!
Outrage on social media, especially Twitter
Exchange of information between people

6. Initial Response Spread of the virus pushed the Ministry
of Health to say something
Everything is under control !!!
Transparency issue
One way communication

7. The Ministry’s Statements
“Coronavirus is under control, and there is nothing to worry about”
“There is no medical reason to impose tighter precautionary measures to contain the spread of MERS”

8. The Ministry’s Statements
The minister urged people “not to be misled by
rumors or unreliable information published via
the social networking sites”
“The ministry is to inform all people of the
updates or many important information in this
regard”

9. The Ministry’s Statements
“The Coronavirus is novel and still mysterious worldwide, that we do not yet know a lot about ways of its transmission. Even, there is neither vaccine nor medicine for it”

10. The Result
244 cases of MERS have been reported and 80 people died in the kingdom as April of 2014
From September 2012 and until April of 2014, there was no public campaigns to eradicate coronavirus
He was fired from his position

11. New Change of Command
“The Ministry of Health would fight coronavirus until the country is free from the virus” (Al-Arabiya, 2014)
Established the Command & Control
Center
Established a Coronavirus website

12. New Change of Command Established a hot free line (937)
Two- way communication
Interactive and visual media
Launched a public health campaign
“We can stop it”

17. Statistics on MERS As February 11, 2016: 2 cases under treatment
738 cases recovered
551 cases passed away
Total of 1291 cases

18. Best Practices Internal communication is crucial during a crisis
During a crisis, the public needs information
Two- way communication is a must during a crisis
Having a crisis communication drill is crucial

19. Best Practices Transparency is indispensable to gain the public trust
Social media provides tremendous benefits if
it used properly

20. Questions? Contact: Saud Alsulaiman Terry Rentner, Ph.D
Thank you
Questions?
Contact:
Saud Alsulaiman Terry Rentner, Ph.D
Doctoral student Professor
BGSU BGSU