Health & Life Sciences
From The Report: Saudi Arabia 2018
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Recent years have seen a profound restructuring of the Saudi health care sector, with major reform plans being rolled out that foresee not only future expansion, but a much more significant role for the private sector. These moves are being made are in response to a number of basic challenges, brought about by both economic and demographic developments. According to Tawfiq Al Rabiah, the minister of health, these developments mean that some SR250bn ($66.7bn) of investment in the sector will be required up to 2030. This considerable sum will be injected into a system undergoing far-reaching structural change, with increased emphasis on quality of service and the pursuit of alternative funding models to the current public purse. A major initiative to localise both staffing and materials is also under way, and is likely to see increasing investment in training and recruitment of Saudis, and support to domestic pharmaceuticals, medical equipment and supply manufacturers.

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

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

The right prescription: Work is under way to optimise the use of hospitals and clinics, and boost preventative and therapeutic care
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Recent years have seen a profound restructuring of the Saudi health care sector, with major reform plans being rolled out that foresee not only future expansion, but a much more significant role for the private sector. These moves are being made are in response to a number of basic challenges, brought about by both economic and demographic developments. According to Tawfiq Al Rabiah, the minister of health, these developments mean that some SR250bn ($66.7bn) of investment in the sector will be required…

Interview

Trendsetting innovation: Dr Haitham Alfalah, CEO, King Saud Medical City, on facilitating private sector participation in health care
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Interview:Dr Haitham Alfalah Why is health care a financially profitable opportunity for the private sector in Saudi Arabia? DR HAITHAM ALFALAH: Health care is going through phenomenal changes globally. The effect of ageing populations, technological development, and advances in both diagnostic and therapeutic care demand substantial investment. In Saudi Arabia, health care costs are expected to rise over the coming years, driven by an increased prevalence of non-communicable diseases. The…

Analysis

Looking inwards: The pharmaceuticals industry has ramped up domestic production in recent years
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As the largest economy in the GCC, by both population and GDP, Saudi Arabia also has the region’s largest pharmaceuticals market. This has been growing by double digits in recent years, and while that expansion has slowed, there should be additional growth in the coming years from a major planned restructuring. Indeed, if current development plans succeed, the Kingdom’s domestic pharmaceuticals industry will play a more significant role in the economy by the next decade. Facts & Figures Pharmaceuticals…

Analysis

Device-driven expansion: Advances in technology are leading to significant changes across hospitals and health care facilities
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Hospitals in Saudi Arabia are among the best equipped in the GCC region, with some of the most up-to-date medical devices furnishing the country’s medical centres and clinics with advanced diagnostic and prosthetic equipment and medical appliances. Maintaining the Kingdom’s hospitals and clinics in top running order is also a high priority for the government, as is expanding the number of facilities available, in order to keep pace with a growing population and rising demand for health care…