PHSSR Saudi Arabia 2025

Saudi Arabia’s response to medicine and vaccination procurement and distribution during the Covid- 19 pandemic was marked by strong coordination, effective planning and a commitment to public health. This approach allowed for the rapid and e fficient distribution of essential medicines and vaccinations to the population, ultimately contributing to the country’s ability to manage and mitigate the effects of the pandemic (Assiri A, 2021). The approach included the following: •Centralised procurement of medicines and vaccines to ensure effective and e fficient distribution. The MoH worked closely with international organisations such as WHO and the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI) to secure vaccines for the population. •A vaccine prioritisation plan focused on high-risk groups such as healthcare workers, older people and individuals with chronic illnesses. This approach helped to protect the most vulnerable population groups and reduce strain on the healthcare system. •Public-private partnerships enhanced the distribution of medicines and vaccines. Several logistics companies, such as Saudi Post and Aramex, were involved in the transportation and delivery of medical supplies and vaccines, ensuring e fficient and timely distribution. •Digital platforms, such as the SEHA app, were introduced to facilitate vaccine registration and distribution. Residents could use the app to book vaccination appointments and receive notifications about vaccine availability. This streamlined approach helped to manage the large- scale distribution of vaccines across the country. •Mass vaccination campaigns, including the establishment of mass vaccination centres in various cities, allowed for the rapid administration of vaccines to large numbers of people and ensured that the population received protection against Covid-19 as quickly as possible (Faisal K et al., 2022). •Continuous communication kept the public informed about vaccine availability and distribution plans while and public awareness campaigns educated the public about the importance of vaccination and dispelled misinformation and vaccine hesitancy. •Participation in international vaccine initiatives such as COVAX which aimed to ensure equitable access to Covid-19 vaccines worldwide. Saudi Arabia also provided financial and logistical support to neighbouring countries, helping to ensure the wider availability of vaccines in the region. 4.3 Recommendations RECOMMENDATION 4A Establish public –private partnerships (PPPs) in medicines and health technologies in order to pool resources and expertise, thus improving access, affordability and innovation. RECOMMENDATION 4B Increase the digital maturity of health service providers, especially in relation to clinical documentation using EMR systems, disease registries and national formularies to reduce medication errors, improve patient safety and enhance the e fficiency of the healthcare system. RECOMMENDATION 4C Enhance national security stockpiles of essential medicines, equipment and supplies to ensure the timely and e fficient distribution of medicines and health technologies, reduce stockouts and improve accessibility. RECOMMENDATION 4D Accelerate health technology assessment (HTA) capacity to determine the value and effectiveness of new health technologies and medicines, enabling evidence-based decision-making and resource allocation. 56 Sustainability and Resilience in the Saudi Arabian Health System The Partnership for Health System Sustainability and Resilience