In 2023, the Saudi government spent $50.4 billion on healthcare and social development, accounting for 16.96% of the annual government budget. This expenditure was second only to the education sector.
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Health issued its 2023 Health Sector Transformation Program report detailing data for Saudi Arabia’s health initiatives. Among other data, the Saudi Gazette reports that key findings included an increase in average life expectancy in the Kingdom, which has risen to 77.6 years and, “is attributed to a series of health enhancements and initiatives, including the adoption of health promotion policies across all aspects of life, the promotion of walking culture, reduction of salt in foods, calorie disclosure, and the elimination of trans fats, along with efforts to enhance healthcare services and strengthen health risk prevention.”
Additional data show in patient satisfaction with hospital inpatient services grew from 82.41% in 2019 to 87.45%, and a rise in the number of qualified nursing staff per 100,000 population from 581.6 in 2019 to 733. The coverage of basic healthcare services in residential areas, including remote regions, has reached 96.41% and the report also highlights several strategic initiatives and global commendations contributing to the program’s goals of improving healthcare access, enhancing service quality and efficiency, and promoting health safety and prevention measures.
The Saudi Press Agency reports that 2023 also, “witnessed pivotal approvals and launches, including the establishment of the Saudi National Institute of Health and the successful implementation of the Ministry of Health’s institutional transformation initiative through the launch of health clusters and the “Nphies” platform, which mark significant milestones in shaping the future of healthcare in the Kingdom.”
Allocation Assistant provides a useful overview of the Health Sector Transformation Program:
The Health Sector Transformation Program, a part of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, is a blueprint to further develop Saudi Arabia’s healthcare infrastructure and restructure services and insurance to provide comprehensive, integrated healthcare.
To address health disparities between urban and rural areas, the country is launching 21 “health clusters” and has expanded the provision of e-health services.
Each cluster will be an integrated network of healthcare providers serving approximately one million people. The plan will also expand capacity and enable access to timely, affordable care.
It aims to boost accredited hospitals, support skilled healthcare professionals, and promote digital health innovation.
Emphasize prevention and health promotion, focusing especially on decreasing smoking and obesity rates, improving road safety, and increasing the average life expectancy.
The National Accreditation Program for Healthcare Organizations (NAHCO) and the Saudi Central Board for Accreditation of Healthcare Institutions (CBAHI) introduced accreditation programs to ensure consistent standards and quality.
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