Transforming Healthcare in Saudi Arabia: Vision 2030’s Impact on Quality, Accessibility, and Innovation
Abstract
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 has significantly transformed its healthcare sector, with a focus on improving quality, accessibility, and innovation. By leveraging advanced technologies, fostering public-private partnerships, and investing in infrastructure, Vision 2030 aims to provide world-class healthcare to all citizens, while positioning Saudi Arabia as a leader in healthcare innovation. The vision seeks to address key challenges such as regional healthcare disparities, chronic diseases, and the need for healthcare reforms that align with global trends. This article explores the healthcare transformation under Vision 2030, examining the strategic initiatives driving these changes, including the integration of digital health technologies, the promotion of healthcare accessibility in rural areas, and the implementation of a mixed healthcare model that blends public and private sector resources. It also considers the broader implications of these reforms on healthcare equity, patient outcomes, and the future of healthcare delivery in Saudi Arabia.
References
Abdullateef, S. T., Musa Alsheikh, R., & Khalifa Ibrahim Mohammed, B. (2023). Making Saudi vision 2030 a reality through educational transformation at the university level. Labour and Industry, 33(2), 225-240.
Abedalrhman, K., & Alzaydi, A. (2024). Saudi Arabia's Strategic Leap towards a Diversified Economy and Technological Innovation. Available at SSRN 5048258.
Akinwale, Y. O., & AboAlsamh, H. M. (2023). Technology innovation and healthcare performance among healthcare organizations in Saudi Arabia: A structural equation model analysis. Sustainability, 15(5), 3962.
Al Khashan, H., Abogazalah, F., Alomary, S., Nahhas, M., Alwadey, A., Al-Khudhair, B., ... & Hassanein, M. (2021). Primary health care reform in Saudi Arabia: progress, challenges and prospects. Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal, 27(10), 1016-1026.
Al Mutrafy, M. K., Aldhafeeri, W. O. J., Alrasheedi, N. M. F., Al Dhafeeri, N. S. N., Alanizi, N. F. S., AljmiLy, R. E., ... & matar Almutairi, O. F. (2024). The Role of Nursing and Laboratory professionals in Improving Screening Accessibility and Quality: A Systematic Review of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 Implementation. Journal of International Crisis and Risk Communication Research, 2586-2596.
Al Yami, S. M. A., Alyami, A. H. K., Algobry, B. Y., Shabeh, H. A., Shaibah, R. A., Hamaim, M. A. B., ... & Al Sinan, M. A. S. (2024). Challenges and Opportunities in Healthcare Delivery in Saudi Arabia. Journal of International Crisis and Risk Communication Research, 1907-1925.
Al-Dosari, K. A., Al Qahtani, S. M. A., Al Shammari, A. M., Al Shehri, B. A. R., Algarny, Y. S. A., & Algarny, A. S. A. (2023). Digital Transformation of the Health Sector through the Requirements of Vision 2030. Journal of Survey in Fisheries Sciences, 10(5), 53-61.
Al-Hanawi, M. K., Khan, S. A., & Al-Borie, H. M. (2019). Healthcare human resource development in Saudi Arabia: emerging challenges and opportunities—a critical review. Public health reviews, 40, 1-16.
Al-Kahtani, N., Alrawiai, S., Al-Zahrani, B. M., Abumadini, R. A., Aljaffary, A., Hariri, B., ... & Alumran, A. (2022). Digital health transformation in Saudi Arabia: a cross-sectional analysis using Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society’ digital health indicators. Digital Health, 8, 20552076221117742.
Al-Nozha, O. M. (2024). Key aspects of the Saudi healthcare system reform and the potential impact on the main stakeholders: A qualitative study. Journal of Taibah University Medical Sciences, 19(3), 598-610.
Al-Saggaf, L., Al-Hadrami, A. H., & Aoun, M. (2024). Healthcare Sector in Saudi Arabia: Initiatives and Challenges. In Achieving Sustainable Business through AI, Technology Education and Computer Science: Volume 1: Computer Science, Business Sustainability, and Competitive Advantage (pp. 203-214). Cham: Springer Nature Switzerland.
Al-Shammari, A. H., & Al-Harbi, M. F. (2018). An Analysis of the Saudi Healthcare System Readiness to Change in the context of Saudi National Healthcare Plan in Vision 2030. Arabia, 24-29.
Alakhrass, H., Al Mulla, A., & Aldossary, M. (2023). A Comparative Analysis of the Old Medical Structure and the ACO Vision 2030 in Saudi Arabia. Health, 15(9), 980-989.
Alanazi, K. (2023). Critical success factors for health transformation in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). American Academic & Scholarly Research Journal, 14(5).
Alanazi, M. A., Al-Zughaibi, S. B. M. N., bin Samir Al-Harbi, F., & Al Dhaheri, M. B. A. D. (2024). Digital Health Integration in Radiological Screening Practices: Opportunities and Challenges for Technicians in Saudi Vision 2030. Journal of International Crisis and Risk Communication Research, 2499-2512.
Alasiri, A. A., & Mohammed, V. (2022). Healthcare transformation in Saudi Arabia: an overview since the launch of vision 2030. Health services insights, 15, 11786329221121214.
Albejaidi, F. M., & Alharbi, A. (2024, February). Analyzing the Technological Framework for E-Health in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. In 2024 11th International Conference on Computing for Sustainable Global Development (INDIACom) (pp. 1822-1827). IEEE.
Aldhafeeri, M. M., Aldhafeeri, M. F. M., Aldhafeeri, A. F. M., Aldhafeeri, W. F. M., Aldhafeeri, J. F. M., & Aldhafeeri, M. F. M. (2024). Enhancing Women's Health Services in Saudi Arabia: The Complementary Roles of Midwifery and Nursing Technicians in Vision 2030 Healthcare Delivery. Journal of International Crisis and Risk Communication Research, 2757-2766.
Aldhafeeri, M. S., Alharbi, A. F. T., Aldhafeeri, B. H. M., Aldhafeeri, F. H., Alshammari, S. S., & Alshammari, M. H. (2024). The Role of Health Assistants in Implementing Saudi Vision 2030 Healthcare Goals: A Systematic Review of Current Evidence. Journal of International Crisis and Risk Communication Research, 2640-2654.
Alenezi, D. (2022). Vision 2030: Leadership Styles, Readiness for Transformation and Faculty Satisfaction in Saudi Arabia (Doctoral dissertation, The University of Newcastle, Australia).
Alenezi, N. A., Almutiri, M. S., Alqosi, M. M., Subyani, B. M. A., Alshahrani, A. M., Alotaibi, A. S., ... & Algossi, H. M. (2023). In The Spotlight: Understanding Healthcare Privatization’s Effects On Nursing Workforce And Care Quality–A Systematic Review In Saudi Arabia. Journal of Namibian Studies: History Politics Culture, 33, 4143-4161.
Alfahad, A. H., Alabbas, Y. S., ALabbas, H. S. M., Abukhashbah, T. H., Alabdali, A. A., Alfatieh, Q. M. H., ... & Alhazmi, K. M. A. (2024). Evaluating the Impact of Saudi Vision 2030 on Healthcare Investment: A Comprehensive Review of Progress and Future Directions. Journal of Ecohumanism, 3(8), 870-880.
Alfarsi, A., Sherif, Z., Jagtap, S., Gupta, S., & Salonitis, K. (2024). Driving sustainability: assessing KPI effectiveness in the Saudi chemical industry. Discover Sustainability, 5(1), 181.
Alfehaid, W. K., AAlharbi, H. A., Qutaym, H. T. N., Aldhafeeri, M. A. M., Nahari, R. M., Alhafaf, A. M., & Alkorty, N. R. R. (2024). Digital Health Solutions in Mental Health Care: The Contributions of Health care professionals in Achieving Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030. Journal of International Crisis and Risk Communication Research, 2545-2557.
Alhamad, S. H., Bani Hani, S. I., Dakhli, A. C., & Almahayreh, A. S. (2024). The effectiveness of applying the economic and technological dimensions of the kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s vision 2030 to achieve the competitive advantage of the Hail Region. Frontiers in Energy Research, 12, 1337349.
Alharbi, M. (2018). An investigation of the saudi healthcare system's readiness for change in the light of Vision 2030: The role of transformational leadership style. Journal of Health Specialties, 6(2), 45-45.
Alharbi, M. F. (2018). An analysis of the Saudi health-care system’s readiness to change in the context of the Saudi National Health-care Plan in Vision 2030. International journal of health sciences, 12(3), 83.
Alharthi, M. J. A., Alqarni, A. M. S., Alqarni, M. S. A., Alqarni, S. M. A., Alshihri, A. A., Alshehri, A. A., ... & Alqarni, H. S. M. (2024). Healthcare Reform in Saudi Arabia Under Vision 2030: A Descriptive Review of the Roles of Health Administration, Psychology, Pharmacy, Anesthesia, Social Services, and Laboratory Science. Journal of International Crisis and Risk Communication Research, 7(2), 50-60.
Alkhamis, A., & Miraj, S. A. (2021). Access to health care in Saudi Arabia: development in the context of vision 2030. In Handbook of healthcare in the Arab world (pp. 1629-1660). Cham: Springer International Publishing.
Alkhamis, A., Ali Miraj, S. S., Al Qumaizi, K. I., & Alaiban, K. (2021). Privatization of Healthcare in Saudi Arabia: Opportunities and Challenges. Handbook of Healthcare in the Arab World, 1865-1907.
Alkhurayji, K., Alzahrani, H. A., s Alotaibi, A., Alharbi, A. G., Zandan, A. A., & Alsheikhi, H. (2024). Potential and Risks Behind the National Transformation Program in Saudi Arabia. Cureus, 16(7), e65047.
AlMalki, H. A., & Durugbo, C. M. (2023). Institutional innovation readiness for Industry 4.0 education: towards an inclusive model for the Kingdom of Bahrain. Asian Journal of Technology Innovation, 31(2), 309-335.
Almutairi, A. G., Almutairi, S. A., Almutairi, A. A., Althobaiti, N. N. H., Alrashedi, K. A. T., & Alotaibi, M. F. (2023). Telehealth in Saudi Arabia: Its Evolution, Present Infrastructure, and Forward-Looking Implications. Global Journal of Health Science, 15(12), 53-57.
Almutairi, H., Galeotti, M., Manzano, B., & Pierru, A. (2024). Resilience of Saudi Arabia’s economy to oil shocks: effects of economic reforms. The Energy Journal, 45(5), 125-148.
Almutari, A. S. M., Al-Otaibi, A. S. M., Algreeb, T. G., Al Talaq, S. S. T., Alshaibani, M. H., Alenazi, F. S., ... & Almutairi, M. S. (2022). Scientific Paper Entitled: The Impact Of The Health Transformation Program Of The Kingdom’s Vision 2030 On The Performance Of Health Personnel In The Government Health Sector In The Kingdom Of Saudi Arabia. Journal of Namibian Studies: History Politics Culture, 31, 708-727.
Alomari, M. A., & Heffron, R. J. (2021). Utilising law in the transition of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to a low-carbon economy. Environmental Innovation and Societal Transitions, 39, 107-118.
Alruwaili, A. E., Alsulami, S. M., Alashhab, A. M., Alhooti, A. N., Alfaraj, E. A., Almalki, A. M., ... & Alotaibi, F. S. S. (2024). The Impact of Vision 2030 on Primary Healthcare Delivery: A Qualitative Exploration of Family Physicians' and General Practitioners' Roles in Achieving National Health Goals. Journal of International Crisis and Risk Communication Research, 2076-2082.
Alsaeda, A., Alfaqeeh, N. A. M., Alqarni, R. S., Alzahrani, S. S. S., Asiri, F. A. M., Malhan, Z. A. A., ... & Asiri, A. M. A. (2024). Entrepreneurship in Saudi Nursing: A Systematic Review of Implementation and Outcomes in Privatization Era. Journal of International Crisis and Risk Communication Research, 1961-1974.
Alsari, S. M., Alzamanan, M. M. M., Salem, H. A., Almutyif, Q. H., Al-Masad, A. M. S., Alabbas, M. S., ... & Al Musri, D. A. J. (2024). The Impact of Vision 2030 on the Healthcare System in Saudi Arabia. Journal of International Crisis and Risk Communication Research, 2262-2279.
Alsaywid, B. S., Qedair, J., Alkhalifah, Y., & Lytras, M. D. (2023). Research and Education Skills as a core part of Digital Transformation in Healthcare in Saudi Arabia. In Digital Transformation in Healthcare in Post-Covid-19 Times (pp. 205-216). Academic Press.
Alshuwaikhat, H. M., & Mohammed, I. (2017). Sustainability matters in national development visions—Evidence from Saudi Arabia’s Vision for 2030. Sustainability, 9(3), 408.
Alsufyani, A. M., Alforihidi, M. A., Almalki, K. E., Aljuaid, S. M., Alamri, A. A., & Alghamdi, M. S. (2020). Linking the Saudi Arabian 2030 vision with nursing transformation in Saudi Arabia: Roadmap for nursing policies and strategies. International Journal of Africa Nursing Sciences, 13, 100256.
Anser, M. K., Yousaf, Z., Nassani, A. A., Vo, X. V., & Zaman, K. (2020). Evaluating ‘natural resource curse’hypothesis under sustainable information technologies: a case study of Saudi Arabia. Resources Policy, 68, 101699.
Asem, A., Mohammad, A. A., & Ziyad, I. A. (2024). Navigating Digital Transformation in Alignment with Vision 2030: A Review of Organizational Strategies, Innovations, and Implications in Saudi Arabia. Journal of Knowledge Learning and Science Technology, 3(2), 21-29.
Bakri, S. A., Backlit, K. M. A., Sawidi, H. M. A., Ayoub, A. O., Mozah, A. R. B., Orayshe, A. A. A., ... & Osis, G. A. M. (2024). Advancements in Chronic Disease Management: Evaluating the Role of Nursing Staff to Achieving the Goals of Saudi Vision 2030. Journal of International Crisis and Risk Communication Research, 1854-1869.
Bashir, I., Sajjad, M. A., & Ali, Z. (2023). Sustainable urban growth from up and down? Saudi Arabia's Urban Infrastructure Revolution. Zakariya Journal of Social Science, 2(2), 1-16.
Benchikh Tasnime, B. M. (2024). Digital health applications and their role in improving the quality of health care services study the experience of Saudi Arabia (Doctoral dissertation, Mohamed El Bachir El Ibrahimi University, Faculty of Economics, Business and Management Sciences).
Bendary, M. G., & Rajadurai, J. (2024). Emerging Technologies and Public Innovation in the Saudi Public Sector: An Analysis of Adoption and Challenges Amidst Vision 2030. Innovation Journal, 29(1).
Deeb, Y. I., Alqahtani, F. K., & Bin Mahmoud, A. A. (2024). Developing a Comprehensive Smart City Rating System: Case of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Journal of Urban Planning and Development, 150(2), 04024012.
Elmonshid, L. B. E., & Sayed, O. A. (2024). The Relationship between Entrepreneurship and Sustainable Development in Saudi Arabia: A Comprehensive Perspective. Economies, 12(8), 198.
habbash saleh Almansour, S., & Almansour, M. H. H. (2024). The Role of Health Technology in Improving Healthcare Services in Saudi Arabia. Journal of International Crisis and Risk Communication Research, 812-831.
Haouel, C., & Nemeslaki, A. (2024). Digital transformation in oil and gas industry: opportunities and challenges. Periodica Polytechnica Social and Management Sciences, 32(1), 1-16.
Hejazi, M. M., Al-Rubaki, S. S., Bawajeeh, O. M., Nakshabandi, Z., Alsaywid, B., Almutairi, E. M., ... & Badawood, H. (2022, May). Attitudes and perceptions of health leaders for the quality enhancement of workforce in Saudi Arabia. In Healthcare (Vol. 10, No. 5, p. 891). MDPI.
Kamel, S. (2021). The role of digital transformation in development in Egypt. Journal of Internet and e-business Studies, 911090.
Kattan, W. (2024). The state of primary healthcare centers in Saudi Arabia: a regional analysis for 2022. Plos one, 19(9), e0301918.
Khan, M. B., & Iqbal, S. (2020). Vision 2030 and the national transformation program. In Research, Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Saudi Arabia (pp. 146-166). Routledge.
Kumar, V., & Albashrawi, S. (2022). Quality infrastructure of Saudi Arabia and its importance for vision 2030. Mapan, 37(1), 97-106.
Mani, Z. A., & Goniewicz, K. (2024). Transforming Healthcare in Saudi Arabia: A Comprehensive Evaluation of Vision 2030’s Impact. Sustainability, 16(8), 3277.
Mitchell, B., & Alfuraih, A. (2018). The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: Achieving the aspirations of the National Transformation Program 2020 and Saudi vision 2030 through education. Journal of Education and Development, 2(3), 36.
Muafa, A. M., Al-Obadi, S. H., Al-Saleem, N., Taweili, A., & Al-Amri, A. (2024). The impact of artificial intelligence applications on the digital transformation of healthcare delivery in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (opportunities and challenges in alignment with vision 2030). Academic Journal of Research and Scientific Publishing, 5.
Mufleh, A. S. S., Alshraah, S. M., Nabil, A. A., Alshraah, A. M., Al-shaboul, I. A., Alshatnawi, E. F., ... & Issa, S. H. (2024). Integrating Telemedicine, Health Informatics, and Smart City with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030: Advancing Sdgs 3 and 11. Cuadernos de Economía, 47(133), 91-104.
Rahman, R., & Al-Borie, H. M. (2021). Strengthening the Saudi Arabian healthcare system: role of vision 2030. International Journal of Healthcare Management, 14(4), 1483-1491.
Rajhi, K. A., Aljaid, A. A., Najmi, F. M., Hazzazi, A. A., Madkhli, O. J., Najmi, H. M., ... & Alwadai, N. M. (2023). Examining The Effectiveness Of Collaborative Healthcare Models In Achieving Improved Patient Care Outcomes In The Digital Era In KSA: A Systematic Review. Journal of Namibian Studies: History Politics Culture, 34, 3201-3222.
Riley, A. J., AlShammary, S. A., Abuzied, Y., Al-Amer, R., Bin-Hussain, I., Alwaalah, M., ... & AlQumaizi, K. I. (2023). Accelerated transformation programme for healthcare services: structure, function and the lessons learnt. BMJ leader, 8(2).
Saeed, A., Saeed, A. B., & AlAhmri, F. A. (2023). Saudi Arabia health systems: challenging and future transformations with artificial intelligence. Cureus, 15(4).
Salman, Z. (2024). Assessing Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030: Economic Diversification, Social Inclusion, and Environmental Preservation through the Triple Bottom Line Lens.
Saradara, S. M., Khalfan, M. M. A., Rauf, A., & Qureshi, R. (2023). On the path towards sustainable construction—the case of the United Arab Emirates: a review. Sustainability, 15(19), 14652.
Serai, O., & Hadjab, N. (2022). Digital transformation in health institutions and its role in improving the quality of health care services in light of the corona pandemic-the experience of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Journal of Contemporary Economic Studies, 7(1), 713-730.
Sheerah, H. A., AlSalamah, S., Alsalamah, S. A., Lu, C. T., Arafa, A., Zaatari, E., ... & Labrique, A. (2024). The Rise of Virtual Health Care: Transforming the Health Care Landscape in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: A Review Article. Telemedicine and e-Health, 30(10), 2545-2554.
Uraif, A. (2024). Developing Healthcare infrastructure in Saudi Arabia using smart technologies: Challenges and opportunities. Communications and Network, 16(3), 51-73.
Wogan, D., Carey, E., & Cooke, D. (2019). Policy pathways to meet Saudi Arabia’s contribution to the Paris agreement. King Abdullah Pet. Stud. Res. Cent.
Yousef, L., AlAngari, D., AlShehri, R., AlSharif, B., Bayameen, O., & Alnemer, Z. (2023). Healthcare transformation journey in the Eastern Region of Saudi Arabia: an overview, challenges and lessons learned. Journal of Medicine and Life, 16(4), 583.
Yousif, S., & Bawhab, O. (2023). The healthcare system in Saudi Arabia: evolution, transformation and the COVID-19 experience. In Research Handbook on Public Leadership (pp. 154-177). Edward Elgar Publishing.
Zaidan, E., Belkhiria, E., & Wazen, C. (2023). Universities of the future as catalysts for change: using the sustainable development goals to reframe sustainability–Qatar University as a Case Study. In The Sustainable University of the Future: Reimagining Higher Education and Research (pp. 1-23). Cham: Springer International Publishing.
Copyright (c) 2024 Danial Kiani
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.