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Canadian Organization Helps Ensure Quality Health Care for Saudi Arabians

October 7, 2012 - Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - The Honourable Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway, joins an accreditation ceremony to highlight the significant accomplishment of Specialized Medical Center Hospital, one of the organizations to receive an accreditation award under Accreditation Canada International’s new Qmentum International accreditation program. This accreditation helps health-care institutions to provide patients with high-quality health care. Specialized Medical Center Hospital is among the numerous organizations in Saudi Arabia that have trusted Accreditation Canada for over a decade.

Accreditation Canada is a not-for-profit, independent organization accredited by the International Society for Quality in Health Care. The organization provides national and international health-care organizations, health systems and accreditation organizations with an external peer-review process to assess and improve the services they provide.

Minister Fast is on a five-day trade mission to Saudi Arabia and Jordan to advance the interests of Canadian businesses in the Middle East, which in turn will create jobs and increased prosperity. Minister Fast is accompanied on the trade mission by representatives of more than 20 Canadian organizations primarily in the infrastructure, health-care and education sectors.

The trade mission, which is being organized by Canada’s Trade Commissioner Service, is one of several strategically focused, sector-specific missions that Minister Fast has led since taking on the international trade portfolio.

Located in more than 150 cities worldwide and in regional offices across Canada, the Canadian Trade Commissioner Service, part of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada, is Canada’s most extensive network of international business professionals. The Trade Commissioner Service helps companies that are looking to export, invest abroad, attract investment or develop innovation and R&D partnerships.

Shown with Minister Fast are Maria Barrados, Chair of the Board for Accreditation Canada International, and Dr. Khaled Al-Sebaiay, CEO, Specialized Medical Centre Hospital.

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For further information, media representatives may contact:

Rudy Husny
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Ed Fast
Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway
613-992-7332
rudy.husny@international.gc.ca

Trade Media Relations Office
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
613-996-2000
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