Healthcare in Saudi Arabia

Health Care Services in Saudi Arabia have shown a great evolution over the past two decades in both governmental and private sectors. This development in health care was the result of the upgrading technology at the facilities as well as the training and improved experience of the medical practitioners. However, the increasing number of population together with the increased awareness about health matters resulted in an increasing trend of medical practice litigations. This is reflected by the number of complaints and claims against health care providers (whether generally as a facility or individually against physicians). Thus, to handle such an impact, it was found necessary to formulate and to set standards and regulations that determine the responsibilities of health care providers towards patients. The Regulations of Medical Practice was settled by the Ministry of Health (MOH) aiming at improving the quality of health care. The Medico-legal Committee (MLC) carries the responsibility of receiving claims and investigating the professional malpractice that resulted in either morbidity or mortality. The process of investigations achieved through reviewing all patient's medical fillings and records as well as an interview of the presumed accused medical staff members, in order to reach a verdict. 

Health benefits for Saudi citizens have increased exponentially since the implementation of the first five-year Development Plan in 1970. Today, according to the Saudi government, every citizen has access to unlimited, free medical care. The government generally finances the building of health care facilities and provides the bulk of funding for health care. Healthcare expenditures account for about 4.6 percent of the nation’s gross domestic product (GDP). Per capita, the government spends about US$591 annually on health care. Although spending has increased, however, management problems have hindered coordination among state, private, and military health care providers.

Statistics indicate a relatively high level of health in Saudi Arabia. According to 2001 estimates, there are about 1.7 doctors and 2.3 hospital beds per 1,000 persons. Nearly the entire Saudi population, excluding perhaps those living in the most remote regions, has access to sanitation, and 95 percent of Saudis have access to clean water. Similarly, nearly 100 percent of the population has access to affordable essential drugs. Immunization against tuberculosis and measles has increased to 94 percent of all one-year-olds. Of births that occurred between 1995 and 2001, 91 percent were attended by a trained health professional.  http://healthcareatm.com/