PHSSR Saudi Arabia 2025

After successfully implementing these solutions during the Covid-19 pandemic, the Saudi health system contributed to the strengthening of five pillars of climate and disaster resilience (Table 5). Several factors contributed to the success of Saudi Arabia’s public health agencies in containing the Covid-19 pandemic: •Early precautionary measures : Saudi Arabia was among the first countries to implement early measures such as travel restrictions and the creation of a national committee to prepare for the possible spread of the virus. •Multisectoral plan : The government adopted multiple measures to limit the spread of Covid-19 transmission, both domestically and internationally, incorporating various public health policies and eliciting the cooperation of the MoH, other government departments and the private sector. •Strong governance and decisive policy-making : Underpinned by centralised authority and strong coordination between sectors of the healthcare system, policies were swiftly implemented to protect the population. •Advanced digital healthcare structure : The healthcare system was already equipped with advanced digital infrastructure, allowing for the fast-paced mobilisation of resources and effective management of the pandemic. •Widespread testing : Over 3.5 million laboratory tests for Covid-19 were conducted, which played a crucial role in identifying and isolating cases to prevent further spread. •Suspension of pilgrimages : Suspending pilgrimages to holy sites signi ficantly reduced the risk of transmission among large gatherings of people. •Implementation of public health strategies : Strategies such as quarantine, travel restrictions, mask- wearing, social distancing and the establishment of clinics for symptomatic patients played a vital role in containing the spread of the virus. •Economic stimulus package s: The government provided economic support to safeguard the economy and ensure the stability of the healthcare sector during the pandemic. •Fair and priority-driven vaccine distribution : The equitable distribution of vaccines was prioritised, ensuring that the most vulnerable received protection first. However, investment to improve national drug and vaccine security to combat future threats and pandemics remains critical. Saudi Arabia’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic was underpinned by existing strong communication and coordination between different sectors, including healthcare providers, public health agencies and government bodies. This played a vital role in the implementation of effective strategies to mitigate the impact of the crisis. In addition, collaboration between the health sector and non-health sectors was critical in addressing the challenges posed by the pandemic. Effective communication between sectors allowed for the rapid dissemination of accurate and up-to-date information, fostering public trust and adherence to preventive measures. Furthermore, coordination between different levels of the health system ensured a uni fied response, enabling the e fficient allocation of resources and the delivery of high-quality care throughout the crisis. However, the country still lacks a single, nationwide database providing real-time national-level status health updates of communicable and noncommunicable diseases other than Covid-19. In addition, given anticipated growth in the Saudi population – projected to be 45 million by 2050 (Unicef, website) – government investment to integrate and forge successful strategic partnerships with the private sector to achieve national health objectives is essential. This includes, but is not limited to, expanding essential industries at the national level to improve health security and self- sufficiency. Establishing and implementing plans for national health security and self-su fficiency are crucial in safeguarding the well-being of the population and ensuring the resilience of healthcare infrastructure. The development of comprehensive strategies that incorporate preventative measures, emergency response capabilities and robust supply chains will allow Saudi Arabia to 30 Sustainability and Resilience in the Saudi Arabian Health System The Partnership for Health System Sustainability and Resilience