PHSSR Saudi Arabia 2025

the healthcare sector, including funding for new hospital construction, increasing testing and tracing capacity and investing in telemedicine and other digital health technologies. It is likely that the risk of exposure to epidemics and pandemics will continue to be a major concern in Saudi Arabia, and will continue to in fluence budget planning in the healthcare sector, including investment in new technologies and infrastructure to support remote care, and increased funding for research and development of new treatments and vaccines. The Saudi Arabian government has also implemented financial risk-management plans to increase reserves and ensure that additional public funds are available during crises. One example is the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA), which is responsible for attracting foreign investment to the country. SAGIA has implemented various initiatives to encourage investment in key sectors, including health care. These investments help diversify the economy and provide additional sources of revenue during times of crisis. HIMSS and SCEBH also foster improved health care financing practices relevant to crises by emphasising the importance of empowering the national supply chain and localising essential medicines, diagnostics and technologies to strengthen the country’s self-su fficiency and resilience in the face of global health challenges. 2.3 Recommendations RECOMMENDATION 2A Empower the national supply chain and enhance self-su fficiency in the supply of essential medicines, diagnostics and technologies. RECOMMENDATION 2B Implement value-based healthcare financing models that prioritise patient outcomes and allocate resources based on the effectiveness of treatments to promote e fficient use of funds and improved patient care. RECOMMENDATION 2C Encourage public-private partnerships (PPPs) to increase investment in health care infrastructure and facilitate access to innovative technologies while sharing risks and resources between public and private sectors. RECOMMENDATION 2D Leverage the power of funding allocated to research and development to advance national health security in speci fic areas.. RECOMMENDATION 2E Diversify funding sources for the Saudi health system to increase financial stability, reduce reliance on a single revenue stream and improve resilience to economic fluctuations. RECOMMENDATION 2F Expedite the implementation of a national health insurance system to provide truly universal health care coverage, ensuring equitable access to health services and promoting financial protection for residents. RECOMMENDATION 2G Allocate more resources to preventative care and health promotion initiatives to reduce the demand for expensive curative care and thus reduce health care costs and promote a healthier population. RECOMMENDATION 2H Implement innovative financing mechanisms, such as social impact bonds or blended finance, to attract private sector investment in public health initiatives to complement public funding. 39 Sustainability and Resilience in the Saudi Arabian Health System The Partnership for Health System Sustainability and Resilience