Saudi Arabia: Healthcare sector to require $67 bln by 2030
Source: Middle East Insurance Review | Jun 2017
Funding needs in the healthcare sector are expected to rise over the coming years, given the increasing number of accidents, smoking and obesity rates in the kingdom, said Health Minister Tawfiq Al-Rabiah. He estimated the amount required to be about SAR250 billion (US$66.7 billion) by 2030.
Mr Al-Rabiah said car accidents result in deaths, injuries and disabilities of thousands of people; obesity rates are increasing due to the lack of exercise; and smoking rates have increased particularly among the youth, reported Arab News.
The minister said the most important element in healthcare transformation will be to institutionalise the sector, and reorganise its funding methods so that it does not depend on government budgets, but on the principle of “payment for service”, in order to improve service efficiency.
The ministry currently manages 279 hospitals with a capacity of over 42,000 beds. These hospitals receive more than 16 million patients in clinics annually, and over 18 million ill people and 21 million injured in emergency rooms.
He said that the kingdom’s healthcare model will reconstruct the structure of the primary healthcare sector, and support it with tools and initiatives that will enable it to be effective. Technology will be an essential element of the new model that will focus on prevention through awareness programmes and the dissemination of health information.
He added that public health insurance will be implemented. “But for it to exist, we need a healthcare system that is well-founded with prepared services, service providers, administrative systems, a funding system and linked elements.” M
SAR1 = US$0.26