Latest news with #Wasfaty
Zawya
16-04-2025
- Health
- Zawya
Saudi's healthcare innovations recognized internationally for their contribution to tackle global health challenges
Wasfaty, a digital platform, received the China Association of Inventions' award. HE Minister of Health Fahad Abdulrahman AlJalajel: 'Innovation is at the heart of our commitment to reimaging the future of healthcare to increase life expectancy in the Kingdom to 80 years by 2030'. Geneva – The Saudi Ministry of Health received 19 medals and a special award at the 50th International Exhibition of Inventions in Geneva, recognising the innovative work the Kingdom is doing to drive forward the global health space. The significant milestone came with the unveiling of 19 inventions, designed to address domestic, global, and universal health challenges. Innovations included a wide array of technologies such as AI-powered diagnostic tools, advanced surgical devices, digital health platforms, and next-generation biotechnology solutions, all aimed at improving patient outcomes, increasing access, and advancing preventative care. Of the six gold medal innovations, three also received Jury Recognition for outstanding work. His Excellency Fahad Abdulrahman AlJalajel, emphasized Saudi Arabia's dedication to advancing global healthcare, stating: " Innovation is at the heart of Saudi Arabia's healthcare transformation. Through cutting-edge technology, strategic investments, and global collaboration, we are building a healthcare system that is not only advanced but also sustainable, accessible, and impactful. The recognition of our innovative solutions in Geneva underscores our commitment to innovation as a key driver to shape the future of healthcare on a global scale and our ambition to increase life expectancy in the Kingdom to 80 years by 2030.' Mrs Najlaa Kateb, Director of the Saudi Global Innovation Centre, commented: 'I'm honoured that these inventions, which are bringing tangible benefits to millions of patients in Saudi Arabia, have been recognized globally. Saudi Arabia encourages creating thinking, nurtures and supports researchers, entrepreneurs, academics and healthcare practitioners to create solutions to address genuine health problems for our Kingdom and the world.'' Biotechnology was a focus for the Saudi booth, showcasing a variety of innovations including NanoPalm, a gene therapy-based solution to combat accumulative liver toxicity, currently in Phase 1 clinical trials valued at USD 80 million for the treatment of Sickle Cell Disease. In the realm of digital transformation, platforms such as Wasfaty are revolutionizing healthcare accessibility and efficiency. Collectively, these systems have already saved the Kingdom over SAR 1.3 billion (USD 347 million) through streamlined e-prescriptions and integrated health records. The Saudi pavilion included active participation from healthcare system entities, including the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA), the Council of Health Insurance (Daman), the National Institute for Health Research, and the National Unified Procurement Company (NUPCO). These entities displayed a series of inventions reflected the Kingdom's commitment to healthcare transformation under Vision 2030. A total of nine silver medals were awarded to a number of health clusters across the Kingdom affiliated with the Saudi Health Holding Company, in addition to the Saudi Food and Drug Authority and the Health Research Institute. The Council of Health Insurance and three other health clusters affiliated with the Saudi Health Holding Company each received four bronze medals. The Ministry's participation in this year's exhibition reinforced Saudi Arabia's position as a rising global player in healthcare innovation. Through scalable technologies, cross-border research partnerships, and strategic investments, the Kingdom is charting a course toward a more resilient and advanced healthcare future. For further information and the full details of innovations being exhibited, contact: media@
Argaam
16-02-2025
- Business
- Argaam
NUPCO procurement exceeds SAR 25B annually: CCO
The size of National Unified Procurement Co.'s (NUPCO) purchases exceeds SAR 25 billion annually, said Chief Commercial Officer Khalid Al-Ghamdi, adding that the company is ready to keep pace with the expected expansion in the healthcare sector, which includes boosting hospital capacity and increasing the number of beds to 43,000 by 2030. In an interview with Argaam at the PIF Private Sector Forum, Al-Ghamdi indicated that the agreements signed by the company during the forum included three financial agreements with a total value of SAR 2.5 billion, including a deal worth SAR 500 million with Banque Saudi Fransi (BSF), FAB Bank KSA (SAR 1 billion) and Taameed Co. (SAR 1 billion). He further stated that these agreements aim to facilitate obtaining the necessary financing by suppliers, especially SMEs, to enhance their investments in the sector, and achieve greater flexibility in cash flows. NUPCO has an advanced infrastructure that includes seven main logistics centers with a storage capacity of up to 430,000 square meters. It seeks to develop its warehouses and introduce automated storage systems to improve the efficiency of distribution operations and ensure the availability of medicines and medical supplies by 100%, while reducing the time required for delivery and increasing accuracy in inventory management, according to the CCO. Al-Ghamdi also stated that the "Wasfaty" platform, managed by NUPCO, has contributed to facilitating patients' access to their medicines, as it currently serves more than 15 million patients and includes more than 5,500 pharmacies. NUPCO also signed an agreement with the "Foras" platform to support suppliers' access to investment opportunities, in addition to five agreements with logistics companies, including DHL, Aramex, Samsa and UPS, to improve distribution efficiency and ensure the delivery of medicines and medical supplies to all regions of the Kingdom, said the executive, noting that these partnerships help boost the company's ability to cover 97% of the regions of the Kingdom, while ensuring the speed and efficiency of delivery to hospitals and pharmacies. He added that NUPCO is studying opportunities for expansion outside Saudi Arabia in the future, especially in light of the Kingdom's preparations to host major events such as Expo 2030 and the 2034 World Cup.
