I ntegrating fragmented healthcare systems may seem like a lofty dream in a world that feels more muddled than ever. But it is already happening. In the region of the Gulf Cooperation Council, I am fortunate enough to witness these rapid changes first hand. In Saudi Arabia, for instance, the national Health Sector Transformation Program aims to restructure the health sector into a comprehensive, effective and integrated health system. This ambition stems from the very top, articulated as an overarching mission: Saudi Vision 2030. Vision 2030 is a transformative economic and social reform blueprint that is among the most ambitious agendas in the world. Nothing will be left untouched, from sport to farming, in a bid to move the Saudi economy away from its current oil dependency. Under Vision 2030, innovation, financial sustainability and disease prevention are prioritised, while access to health care is being improved. Digital solutions and e-Health services such as telemedicine are being expanded to improve the quality of care. The Health Sector Transformation Program has already delivered successes, such as the Kingdom’s effective handling of the Covid-19 pandemic.
With technology and the right commitments, we have the power to dismantle healthcare frontiers and build new systems from the
The onset of the pandemic disrupted non-communicable disease services, owing to control measures and lockdowns. Such diseases – cardiovascular, in particular – are major public health issues in the Kingdom. The Ministry of Health promptly embarked on medical technologies to ensure continuity, including smartphone apps and social networks, which were used to address public queries and provide virtual health services and support. One notable initiative, the SEHA Virtual Hospital, was introduced so that patients could consult specialised physicians without having to travel to different parts of the Kingdom. The largest of its kind, the virtual hospital launched with more than 150 hospitals connecting with more than
ground up. The possibilities are boundless
New healthcare frontiers By Maliha Hashmi, World Economic Forum Global Future Council Expert
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Health: A Political Choice – From Fragmentation to Integration
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