Saudi Arabia’s healthcare industry embraces major digital overhaul

Saudi Arabia is at the forefront of the digital revolution in the wellness industry, propelling improvements in patient care, overall experience, and sustainable health development to match international standards.

The Kingdom’s strategic focus is to reorganise its healthcare sector, augmenting its potential to operate as a cohesive, value-driven ecosystem centred around patient health.

To accomplish these lofty objectives, Saudi Arabia is dedicated to substantial investments in the health technology industry. Reflecting the government’s commitment to this initiative, the 2023 budget allocates more than SR180 billion ($50.3 billion) to healthcare and social development.

A significant portion of this budget is channelled towards digital health strategies to promote accessibility, efficiency, and transparency within the healthcare system.

One such initiative is the establishment of a national electronic health record system, serving as a comprehensive database for patient data. This ensures nationwide access for medical professionals, facilitating smooth collaboration and expedited decision-making.

The Kingdom is also prioritising investments in telemedicine platforms to guarantee healthcare access even in isolated regions.

Under its Vision 2030 plan, the government is also aiming to privatise the healthcare industry, focusing its efforts on 290 government hospitals and 2,300 primary health centres within the Kingdom.

In a conversation with Arab News, Jalil Allabadi, CEO of Amman-based digital health platform Altibbi, clarified that the government’s initiatives to decentralise would significantly improve the sector and boost healthcare technology.

Allabadi shared that larger institutions and corporations are developing their health tech solutions, while smaller companies are focusing on the consumer end.

He emphasised that as hospitals and clinical centres move towards decentralisation, they will concentrate on profit generation. This shift will motivate the adoption of healthcare technology for automation and digitisation of their operations, enhancing efficiency.

Altibbi, one of the largest digital health platforms in the Middle East, has raised over $52.4 million in funding since its launch.

In line with the Kingdom’s focus on preventive health services and reducing reliance on hospital care, the aim is to digitise 70 percent of patient activities by 2030.

According to Allabadi, digital health consultations and activities are still in the early stages compared to the Vision 2030’s targets, but growth is “happening very fast.”

Startups are invigorating the health tech sector by integrating digital tools such as artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, and big data analytics into healthcare services for more effective prediction, prevention, and disease management.

Saudi Arabia’s health tech sector offers a blueprint for a future where digital health solutions are integral to comprehensive and patient-focused care. This groundbreaking transformation represents not only an investment in the health of its citizens but also a stimulus for economic diversification and sustainable development.

Chronic diseases, prevalent among the elderly, are a significant concern. A report by the Saudi government estimates that by 2050, 25 percent of its projected 40 million population will be 60 or older, necessitating an overhaul in healthcare delivery.

In conversation with Arab News, Sacha Haider, a partner at the UAE-based venture capital firm Global Ventures, explains that the next evolution in Saudi health tech focuses on preventive healthcare and longevity.

Haider elaborates that regular consultations and check-ins will significantly energise health tech and digital health in the Kingdom.

In the post-COVID-19 era, the industry has embraced digital technologies to enhance patient experiences and improve care quality. Saudi-based platforms like Nala and Cura are leading examples of successful digital health services companies, offering a range of services from instant consultations to tailored digital care programs.

Moreover, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Health has introduced apps like Mawid, Tabaud, and Seha, which offer virtual consultations, effectively reducing the need for in-person hospital visits.

The advent of express clinics within pharmacies, providing immediate primary care services, is another trend gaining traction. These clinics offer services ranging from consultation, blood glucose and blood pressure measurements, skincare analysis, weight management, and vaccination.

Global data firm Statista projects the digital health market in Saudi Arabia to grow by 9.06 percent from 2023 to 2027, culminating in a market volume of $1.16 billion.