Health & Life Sciences
From The Report: Saudi Arabia 2025
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Health care in Saudi Arabia is undergoing a period of rapid transformation, driven by demographic shifts and the ambitions of the Saudi Vision 2030 national development strategy. Government spending to modernise infrastructure, diversify services and improve quality has risen, while a comprehensive health care reform programme is expanding access across the country and introducing international standards. The sector is also opening to private investment, creating an increasing number of opportunities for growth as the state seeks to share financial responsibility. Health indicators continue to improve as a result of stronger preventive care and diagnosis with the help of technological advancements, while access to specialist services is also expanding.

This chapter contains interviews with Hisham bin Saad Aljadhey, CEO, Saudi Food and Drug Authority; Nasser Al Huqbani, CEO, Health Holding Company; and Faisal Al Nassar, CEO, Dr Sulaiman Al Habib Medical Group.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

System overhaul: Regulatory reform and institutional restructuring underpin sector transformation and growth
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Health care in Saudi Arabia is undergoing a period of rapid transformation, driven by demographic shifts and the ambitions of the Saudi Vision 2030 national development strategy. Government spending has risen to modernise infrastructure, diversify services and improve quality, while a comprehensive health care reform programme is expanding access across the country and introducing international standards. The sector is also opening to private investment, creating an increasing number of opportunities for growth as the state seeks to share financial responsibility. Structure & Oversight The Basic Law of Saudi Arabia states that “the State…

Interview

Improved outcomes: Hisham bin Saad Aljadhey, CEO, Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA), on harnessing science and automation to strengthen food and drug oversight
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Interview:Hisham bin Saad Aljadhey, CEO, Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA), on harnessing science and automation to strengthen food and drug oversight How is the health sector using data and emerging technologies to improve food and drug safety? HISHAM BIN SAAD ALJADHEY: Efficiency must be balanced with safety, and this is where data and emerging technologies play an increasingly important role. One of the most significant enablers in recent years has been the integration of artificial…

Interview

Clear targets: Nasser Al Huqbani, CEO, Health Holding Company, on how the sector is contributing to Vision 2030 goals
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Interview:Nasser Al Huqbani, CEO, Health Holding Company, on how the sector is contributing to Vision 2030 goals How do you see the current transformations in the health care industry contributing to the fulfilment of wider Vision 2030 objectives? NASSER AL HUQBANI: The ongoing transformation of the health care sector is playing a pivotal role in advancing the themes of Vision 2030, particularly in fostering a vibrant society. A significant objective under this pillar is to increase average…

Analysis

Private expansion: Regulatory reforms and targeted public-private partnerships strengthen private sector participation and operational capacity
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The private sector’s role in Saudi Arabia’s health care has increased significantly in recent years, supported by favourable national policies and regulatory reform. The Kingdom is actively encouraging greater private participation to reduce the financial burden on the government and improve health care outcomes. This approach has driven a rise in public-private partnerships (PPPs) across multiple areas of the health sector. Health Reform The Health Sector Transformation Programme (HSTP) was developed to implement health care policies aligned with the objectives of the Vision 2030 national development strategy. Vision 2030 explicitly highlights…

Interview

Enhanced access: Faisal Al Nassar, CEO, Dr Sulaiman Al Habib Medical Group, on the need for medical infrastructure development in rural areas and how digitalisation is transforming the sector
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Interview:Faisal Al Nassar, CEO, Dr Sulaiman Al Habib Medical Group, on the need for medical infrastructure development in rural areas and how digitalisation is transforming the sector How has the rise in private health care spending influenced investment trends in new medical facilities and specialised services? FAISAL AL NASSAR: The rise in private health care spending aligns closely with Vision 2030 objectives, particularly when it comes to encouraging greater private sector participation…

Analysis

Virtual care: Digital health care tools are closing the gap, allowing greater access to medical attention in areas with limited doctors
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After weathering the volatility of the pandemic era, the global digital health ecosystem is settling into structural growth — recalibrating its priorities from rapid scale to long-term and sustainable profitability. Venture capital funding for the sector has stabilised significantly, with approximately $25.1bn in 2024 compared to its peak of $57bn in 2021. This shift towards sustainable enterprises is reflected in the market’s robust growth projections, with the global telehealth sector valued at $151bn in 2025. Experts anticipate this value will reach to $455.3bn by 2030, representing a compound annual growth rate of 25%. Bridging Gaps Digital…