PHSSR Saudi Arabia 2025

operations, clinical care, digital communication and education, customer experience and quality assurance. A plan to monitor and escalate vaccine delivery through an electronic system linked the MoH with the SFDA. All adverse events and other delivery issues were investigated by a panel of experts. The vaccine distribution plan was based on the population size of each city and maximum priority was given to the most populous cities. It was also ensured that all citizens, residents and undocumented migrants had equal access to vaccines. The government announced the introduction of a public registration system, prioritising vaccination appointments based on predetermined conditions and the distribution of vaccines followed three phases, with priority given to different groups in each phase, starting with the most vulnerable. The first dose of the vaccine was administered according to vaccine availability, based on the characteristics of each vaccine, disease epidemiology, vaccine supply and community factors. Regular updates by the MoH strongly encouraged the public to get vaccinated and reported individuals who were reluctant to get vaccinated and eventually developed Covid-19, with poor clinical outcomes. In addition, the results of Covid-19 vaccine acceptance surveys were used to further raise awareness and encourage the public to get vaccinated. While the mass screening programme successfully flattened the Covid-19 epidemiology curve and allowed health facilities to absorb the number of infected cases, the vaccination campaign improved population immunity and reduced the Covid-19 death rate from 267 deaths per 100,000 population during the first wave of the pandemic to 99 deaths per 100,000 during the second wave and only one death per 100,000 during the third wave. 6.3 Recommendations RECOMMENDATION 6A Enable and encourage cross-sectoral work to measure and address the social determinants of health in order to promote a healthier and more resilient population. RECOMMENDATION 6B Support and enhance national disease registries that re flect the major burden of disease, particularly NCDs, taking account of socioeconomic status. RECOMMENDATION 6C Invest in technologies, social media and online engagement platforms to promote healthy behaviours. RECOMMENDATION 6D Develop and implement targeted health promotion and disease prevention programmes focusing on key health issues prevalent in the Saudi population. RECOMMENDATION 6E Establish a robust monitoring and evaluation system to assess the impact of population health interventions and inform future policy development. RECOMMENDATION 6F Strengthen the health information system and leverage data analytics to inform evidence-based decision making to identify population health needs, allocate resources and monitor outcomes will ensure a more e fficient and effective health system. RECOMMENDATION 6G Address and report health disparities among different population groups by ensuring equal access to healthcare services and resources to improve overall population health outcomes and contribute to a more just and sustainable society. 72 Sustainability and Resilience in the Saudi Arabian Health System The Partnership for Health System Sustainability and Resilience