Saudi Arabia: Large-Scale Developments In The Healthcare System

The Saudi health care sector is still the largest in the GCC and Near East North Africa. The Saudi market is completely dependent on imports for medical devices. Local manufacturing is still limited to consumables including bandages, gloves, syringes, and non-electrical beds.

The Saudi Government has announced new projects in the 2015 - 2016 MoH budget included the construction of 3 hospitals, 3 blood bank centers, 11 primary health care centers, and 10 care clinics. Hospital beds expected to grow to 119,000 beds by 2020.

Furthermore, investors are developing Riyadh’s Medical Village over a 250,000 sq. m. area, consisting of 60 outpatient clinics and hospitals.

The major players in the Saudi health care sector include:

• Ministry of Health

• Saudi Arabian National Guard

• Ministry of Defense & Aviation

• Ministry of Higher Education

• Ministry of Interior

• General Organization for Social Insurance

• Royal Clinics

• John Hopkins Aramco Healthcare

• Private Sector

In addition, the Executive Board of the Health Ministers’ Council for the GCC states release annual tenders for the following items:

Hospital sundries

Renal Dialysis supplies

Oral & dental care

Laboratory sundries

Orthopedic & spinal surgery

Rehabilitation

Cardiovascular

Linens & medical uniforms

Ophthalmology

Medicines

Vaccines

Renal dialysis solutions