Health & Life Sciences
From The Report: Saudi Arabia 2016
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Public and private sector investment in Saudi Arabia’s health care industry continues to be fuelled by the growing demands of a rising population and the increasing prevalence of lifestyle-related diseases. Although the 2016 health care budget was down on the historic high of 2015, industry players are confident of changes to enhance efficiency and promote better allocation of resources, as the rollout of government initiatives and projects already in the pipeline moves ahead. Moreover, what scale-backs are taking place are expected to open opportunities for more vigorous private sector involvement, as called for in the National Transformation Programme, released in June 2016. Meanwhile, a greater focus on preventive care is being encouraged to tackle the rise of chronic and lifestyle-related diseases, and an increasing number of Saudis are enrolling in courses at the Kingdom’s medical colleges, which bodes well for a sector historically reliant on foreign expertise.

This chapter contains an interview with Dr Haitham Alfalah, CEO, King Saud Medical City.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

Hale and hearty: Initiatives seek to expand access and improve quality of care
OBG
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Public and private sector investment in Saudi Arabia’s health care industry continues to be fuelled by the growing demands of a rising population and the increasing prevalence of lifestyle-related diseases. Although the 2016 health care budget was down on the historic high of 2015, industry players are confident of changes to enhance efficiency and promote better allocation of resources, as the rollout of government initiatives and projects already in the pipeline moves ahead. Moreover, what scale-backs…

Analysis

Ounce of prevention: Despite challenges, progress is being made in developing the primary care segment
OBG
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With a rapidly growing population that is accustomed to receiving high-quality care, Saudi Arabia’s health sector offers some of the most promising opportunities in the region for private providers. The government has scaled back health spending in a bid to boost efficiency and widen the scope for private participation, and the Vision 2030 economic development blueprint has singled out greater utilisation of primary health care centres (PHCs) as a key target. Primacy Of Primary Care Primary health…

Interview

Streamlining the system: OBG talks to Dr Haitham Alfalah, CEO, King Saud Medical City
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Interview:Dr Haitham Alfalah Given comparatively reduced health budgets, how are sector players allocating their resources in a more cost-efficient manner? DR HAITHAM ALFALAH: The past decade has seen a year-on-year rise in health care spending, fitting within the strategy to face the huge demand rising in the Kingdom’s health care services. The government is currently working on developing a new health care vision for the country that can provide better services to our communities with…

Analysis

Efficiency drive: Public investment pays off as the sector matures
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The decade leading up to 2013 saw robust growth in the Kingdom’s health care sector, as profits generated during the oil boom years were invested in deepening and expanding health care infrastructure. Although Saudi Arabia’s 2016 health care budget faces considerable cuts, it is important to note that this came on the back of highest allocation the sector had ever received in 2015. The 2016 budget is part of a wider plan to not just cut costs, but also to boost efficiencies and enhance what…

Analysis

Locally sourced: Growth in the health care labour force demonstrates the impact of years of Saudiisation policies
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One of the most significant challenges facing Saudi Arabia’s health care sector moving forward will be finding the necessary qualified health care professionals to meet the rising demands of the Kingdom’s quickly expanding population. A McKinsey report published in December 2015 estimates that Saudi Arabia’s population of nationals will reach 27m by 2030. The government and private sector players have historically relied on large numbers of health care staff from overseas. Currently, around…