Saudi Arabia has set the healthcare sector at the forefront of its Vision 2030 goals, unfolding a new chapter of advanced and accessible medical care that fosters the well-being of Saudi citizens.
According to the 2024 performance report, the Kingdom’s average life expectancy has increased to approximately 79 years, exceeding the 2025 annual target ahead of schedule, according to Al-Arabiya TV.
Significant Milestones
This remarkable milestone has positioned Saudi Arabia 11th among G20 nations for the highest increase in life expectancy.
Moreover, the latest Healthcare Services Quality Index showed a significant advancement across all five of its core pillars, as follows:
- Patient-Centered Care
- Effectiveness of Medical Services
- Efficiency and Safety
- Service Delivery Speed
- Equity and Fair Access to Healthcare
As for the indicator measuring the percentage of adults engaging in at least 150 minutes of physical activity per week, the Kingdom has already achieved its 2027 target, reaching 58.5% of the Kingdom’s population. This means that Saudi Arabia became closer to the 2030 goal of 64%.
In the World Happiness Index, the Kingdom advanced five positions between 2016 and 2023.
Seha Virtual Hospital
Interestingly, the year 2024 was marked by a breakthrough in the Saudi health sector, as Seha Virtual Hospital was officially recognized by Guinness World Records as the largest virtual hospital in the world.
The report also noted that Saudi Arabia has secured first place in the region for the number of internationally accredited healthy cities.
Meanwhile, it recorded a significant leap in health emergency preparedness, with the readiness of its health regions to respond to risks reaching 92% in 2024, up from 38% in 2019.
Digital Transformation
In Al Arabiya’s interview with Dr. Khalid Al-Shaibani, CEO of the Health Sector Transformation Program, he noted that the Kingdom now secures a place among the top 10 countries globally in digital transformation.
Saudi Arabia has made bold strides in leveraging advanced digital solutions to boost patient care, most notably through the Sehhaty application—one of the Kingdom’s flagship digital health platforms.
The app currently offers about 50 integrated services and serves over 31 million users across the Kingdom.
In 2023, the app facilitated over 10 million medical appointments and provided over 3 million instant consultations, strengthen its role as a main gateway to accessible and efficient healthcare.
Notably, Sehhaty app has fostered its services by launching the digital twin technology, enabling users to assess early risk factors for certain diseases and receive personalized preventive and awareness guidance.
King Faisal Specialist Hospital
Al-Shaibani also mentioned that King Faisal Specialist Hospital has become among the top 20 hospitals worldwide and now aspires to earn a place among the top five global medical institutions.
He also said that the hospital features numerous world-class centers of excellence, most importantly its Organ Transplant Center, which has achieved an amazing medical milestone by performing heart, liver, and pancreas transplants using robotic technology, marking a scientific breakthrough unprecedented on the global stage.
Al-Shaibani explained that customer satisfaction is assessed across 25 stages of the patient journey by an independent global firm that measures patient feedback and benchmarks beneficiary satisfaction based on global standards.
He said that when the COVID-19 pandemic struck, Saudi Arabia has responded to the worldwide crisis effectively, ensuring comprehensive care and support for all citizens and residents.
Global Health Exhibition
To highlight the Kingdom’s innovations in healthcare sector, Riyadh hosted the eighth Global Health Exhibition from October 27 to 30 at the Riyadh Exhibition and Convention Center, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
Themed “Invest in Health,” the exhibition featured 2,000 exhibitors, 500 speakers, and over 20 international pavilions.
Organized by the Ministry of Health and supported by the Health Sector Transformation Program, the exhibition displayed the latest health and digital innovations.
The forum provided healthcare professionals with a significant platform to explore the latest medical innovations, join scientific sessions and workshops, as well as develop their professional networks.
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