Health & Life Sciences

The government represents the biggest provider of health care services in Saudi Arabia, accounting for about 75% of the country’s health spending. In 2015 the government increased its budget for health and social affairs by 48% to $42.64bn. Indeed the Kingdom’s health sector has witnessed rapid growth in recent times as the government looks to meet its 2020 targets of 264 hospitals, 70,694 beds, 2750 primary health care centres and 27 specialist medical centres. Central to realising these ambitions are five new medical cities that are set to spring up across the country. The e-health programme is also gaining traction and now includes more than 70 projects ranging from quick wins to major multi-year endeavours, such as the roll-out of automated systems at primary care centres. This chapter contains an interview with Saleh Al Tamimi, CEO, King Saud Medical City.