PHSSR Saudi Arabia 2025

•The cost-effectiveness threshold (CET) initiative will enable opportunity costs to be taken into account in resource allocation, to maximise population health bene fits. The CET will determine the willingness of the health system to pay for the health bene fits offered by a new health technology without compromising total population health. •Managed entry agreements (MEAs) promote access to new medicines and technologies in the context of uncertainty regarding cost-effectiveness, real-life clinical bene fit and potential impact on health expenditure. They also promote innovation and R&D in value-adding therapeutic areas. The majority of MEAs in Saudi Arabia are finance-based. However, the MoH is seeking to shift to more value-based agreements that prioritise performance and outcomes. •These value- and evidence-based initiatives rely heavily on high-quality data and information. A reliable and fit-for-purpose platform, incorporating disease registries and national formularies, will be needed to address challenges related to limited lack of reliable data. Resilience •The government is working on a policy to improve resilience through changes in the use of medicines and technologies. Key to this is the establishment of the Centre for Health Technology Assessment outlined above. •The Health Electronic Surveillance Network was one of the key digital platforms in the effective management of information during the pandemic. It played a pivotal role in enabling surveillance of Covid-19 across the nation in a timely manner, allowing public health policy and decision- makers to implement actions effectively. •The Tawakkalna mobile application was a transformational digital health technology which performed several key functions during the pandemic. The real-time data-driven approach allowed the government to monitor the spread of the virus, identify hotspots and allocate resources effectively. •Insights from social and behavioural sciences were used to support the pandemic response, helping authorities craft targeted messaging and interventions to encourage adherence to safety measures, such as social distancing and mask-wearing. •The National Cybersecurity Authority regularly evaluates the compliance of government organisation portals against set cybersecurity controls. The resulting evaluation reports help to improve preparedness against cybersecurity threats. This increases the resilience of health organisations and assists in preventing interruptions of service due to cybers attacks. •Adoption of telehealth in clinical practice is a key policy initiative currently taking place in Saudi Arabia. This was essential in maintaining access to services during Covid-19 and limiting its spread in healthcare settings. Maintaining access to telehealth and scaling up its deployment where there is clear evidence of bene fits could substantially contribute to the resilience of Saudi Arabia’s healthcare system in the face of future pandemics. •The health system mitigated and managed shortages in medical supplies during the Covid-19 pandemic through effective hospital exchange programmes and increased public healthcare spending. In light of the country’s focus on technological advancements and infrastructure improvements, implementing a centralised inventory management system to anticipate and mitigate challenges and risks could enhance the resilience of the supply chain. •Public-private partnerships enhanced the distribution of medicines and vaccines. Several logistics companies were involved in the transportation and delivery of medical supplies and vaccines, ensuring e fficient and timely distribution. 11 Sustainability and Resilience in the Saudi Arabian Health System The Partnership for Health System Sustainability and Resilience