Reimagining health in Saudi Arabia to inspire the world

Arab News

06-04-2025

https://arab.news/c2r7u
As minister of health, I have been immensely proud to witness Saudi Arabia's health transformation that began just under a decade ago.
The visionary reforms introduced by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman are not only accelerating national well-being but are establishing the Kingdom as a global leader of health innovation, collaboration and value-based care.
As we mark World Health Day, I want to take the opportunity to acknowledge this progress and the countless health heroes who have made it possible.
The theme of this year's World Health Day is 'Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures,' but you could also say that Vision 2030 was the catalyst that turned a hopeful beginning into a healthier future.
What was once a vision is being made a reality.
Seha Virtual Hospital is an example of this transformation, becoming the world's largest virtual hospital.
Recognized by Guinness World Records, Seha connects 224 hospitals and offers 44 specialized services across the Kingdom.
It is an innovation that has revolutionized access to healthcare, particularly for those in remote areas, ensuring that every citizen, regardless of location, has access to top-tier medical care.
What began as an ambitious project has become an indispensable part of Saudi Arabia's healthcare landscape and a blueprint for others.
As powerful as technological innovations are, perhaps even more significant is our fundamental shift from reactive treatment to proactive prevention.
Expanded screening programs identify risk factors before they develop into costly diseases.
Costly not only in financial terms but also in terms of longevity and quality of life.
School-based initiatives teach children lifelong protective habits, while community health workers bring prevention strategies directly to remote regions.
For every riyal invested in prevention, we can save approximately four in treatment costs — but the human impact far outweighs the economic benefit.
We are investing heavily in health education programs, recognizing that an informed population is the foundation of a healthy society.
We are equipping people with the knowledge and tools to take charge of their health and well-being.
Fahad Abdulrahman AlJalajel
From community-based workshops to interactive, artificial intelligence-augmented apps that can predict health issues before they arise, we are equipping people with the knowledge and tools to take charge of their health and well-being.
We are expanding proactive well-being beyond the walls of a hospital and putting it into the palm of your hand.
The adaptability of virtual models of care — and the success of these strategies, which have unlocked more than 50 million consultations in Saudi Arabia — points to their potential global impact.
Initiatives such as the G20 Global Innovation Hub for Improving Value in Health are supporting the global shift toward collaborative, value-based care.
Headquartered in Riyadh, the hub, now expanding beyond the G20, works to ensure people-focused health reforms not only improve patient outcomes in the Kingdom, but enhance the efficiency and sustainability of health systems globally.
Collaboration is central to our mission to reimagine health for the future.
Collaboration across government, within the sector, between sectors and beyond borders, underscoring Saudi Arabia's role as a global bridge for health innovation.
And our efforts are bearing fruit, including increasing longevity and life expectancy.
For instance, Tabuk recently joined a growing list of 15 Saudi locations to earn recognition as a 'Healthy City' from the World Health Organization.
Alongside the likes of Jeddah, Madinah and Taif, Tabuk's success reflects Saudi Arabia's dedication to improving urban health through parks, walking areas and health-focused community programs.
These are examples of the Kingdom's leadership not only in innovating healthcare systems but in weaving well-being into the fabric of our cities; creating models of health sustainability, where smart urban planning, preventive healthcare and community engagement go hand in hand.
Saudi Arabia's rising global health leadership embodies this commitment to innovation, collaboration and outcomes. I was pleased to see this on full display at the Global Health Exhibition in Riyadh last October — the largest ever — which brought together the world's health leaders and innovators and witnessed announcements worth SR50 billion ($13 billion).
Or at the Ministerial Meeting on Antimicrobial Resistance in Jeddah, which culminated in the adoption of the 'Jeddah Commitments,' a global framework that translates political declarations into concrete multilateral action.
As we mark World Health Day, I am proud that Saudi Arabia is shaping a future where world-class health services are accessible, universal and sustainable. And in the years to come, it will continue to lead the way, ensuring that healthy beginnings become hopeful futures for our citizens and people worldwide.