Health, Hospitals & Pharmaceuticals Services

The Saudi health-care sector is the largest in the region, and it is witnessing advances in terms of quality and geographical coverage. Spending on healthcare is around $ 36bn and expected to increase by around 6% yearly up to 2018. The strong growth expected in the sector is a as a result of population growth ( growth rate at around 2.5 % per year; 47% of population is under 18, strong growth of work-age population) increase in income per capita, increase chronic illness, road accidents and life-style related diseases ( obesity, diabetes, and asthma). Government is main investor in health care sector ( direct 60 % , indirect 20 % approx.), however, it is encouraging private-public joint projects, and encouraging private sector investment.
There are ambitious projects of building new medical cities, local hospitals and hundreds of primary care centers throughout KSA; and there is a move towards E-health. Efforts are exerted to have medical care accredited nationally and internationally.