Health & Life Sciences
From The Report: Saudi Arabia 2015
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The government represents the biggest provider of health care services in Saudi Arabia, accounting for about 75% of the country’s health spending. In 2015 the government increased its budget for health and social affairs by 48% to $42.64bn. Indeed the Kingdom’s health sector has witnessed rapid growth in recent times as the government looks to meet its 2020 targets of 264 hospitals, 70,694 beds, 2750 primary health care centres and 27 specialist medical centres. Central to realising these ambitions are five new medical cities that are set to spring up across the country. The e-health programme is also gaining traction and now includes more than 70 projects ranging from quick wins to major multi-year endeavours, such as the roll-out of automated systems at primary care centres. This chapter contains an interview with Saleh Al Tamimi, CEO, King Saud Medical City.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

Game plan: Investment continues to rise as the government addresses long-term challenges like obesity and growing labour needs
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Rising levels of investment in the Saudi Arabian health sector over the past decade have drawn praise from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and helped boost capacity to meet growing demand. A sharp increase in the state health budget for 2015 looks set to sustain this growth in the face of some long-term challenges. These include increasing life expectancies and a jump in non-communicable diseases, as well as the drive to promote Saudiisation in the health sector workforce at a time when demand…

Interview

The silo mentality: OBG talks to Saleh Al Tamimi, CEO, King Saud Medical City
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Interview:Saleh Al Tamimi What needs to be done to fulfil the growing staffing needs of the Kingdom’s health sector? SALEH AL TAMIMI: This is certainly our biggest risk and challenge. The health sector still depends significantly on foreign workers while experiencing substantial growth. We have to come up with a comprehensive plan to provide the necessary skilled workers. This means investing in Saudis. Over the years, Saudi Arabia has been a training centre for many foreigners, especially…

Analysis

Keeping it local: Despite foreign competition, the market share of local pharmaceuticals manufacturers has increased
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Over the past decade, Saudi Arabia has successfully promoted the development of local pharmaceuticals manufacturing, with their share of the market rising from 14% to 18% between 2008 and 2012. Many of these companies started as sole importers and distributors of pharmaceuticals, and went on to develop their capabilities, in some cases by forming partnerships and joint ventures with global and regional firms. Most local pharmaceuticals firms remain focused on producing generics, but some are also…

Analysis

Going digital: Efforts to digitise services under the government’s e-health initiative are expected to boost efficiency and patient satisfaction
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As part of efforts to make health care spending more efficient, the government is forging ahead with a number of digitisation initiatives under the banner of its electronic health, or e-health, programme. The need for such a strategy has been precipitated by a “perfect storm demanding continued transformation in health care”, according to Munir Ismet, HP’s head of cloud business for public sector, health care and education in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, speaking at the Fifth Saudi eHealth…

Analysis

Those who can: Increased investment in medical education and training should help to boost Saudiisation of the sector workforce
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The rapid expansion of the health care system in Saudi Arabia has increased demand for health workers, from doctors and nurses to hospital administrators and pharmacists. As part of the Kingdom’s ongoing transformation into a knowledge-based economy, and with a view towards the sector’s long-term sustainability, the government is investing heavily in medical education and training for nationals. These efforts are already yielding results in terms of raising the proportion of Saudis working in…