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The Ministry of Health ( ar, وزارة الصحة), commonly abbreviated to MoH, is the ministry overseeing the
health care Health care or healthcare is the improvement of health via the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, amelioration or cure of disease, illness, injury, and other physical and mental impairments in people. Health care is delivered by health pr ...
and
health policy Health policy can be defined as the "decisions, plans, and actions that are undertaken to achieve specific healthcare goals within a society".World Health Organization''Health Policy'' accessed 22 March 2011(Web archive)/ref> According to the ...
of Saudi Arabia. The ministry is tasked with formulating strategies to ensure public health in the country, while also managing crucial health infrastructure. The Ministry's origins can be traced by to 1925, when a number of regional health departments were established, with the first in
Mecca Mecca (; officially Makkah al-Mukarramah, commonly shortened to Makkah ()) is a city and administrative center of the Mecca Province of Saudi Arabia, and the holiest city in Islam. It is inland from Jeddah on the Red Sea, in a narrow v ...
,
Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia, officially the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), is a country in Western Asia. It covers the bulk of the Arabian Peninsula, and has a land area of about , making it the fifth-largest country in Asia, the second-largest in the Ara ...
. As the country grew economically during the 1940s, the Saudi government created the first national Ministry of Health in the country, appointing Abdullah bin Faisal Al Saud as the Kingdom's first Minister of Health. During the next couple of decades, the ministry oversaw the development and construction of numerous hospitals and regional clinics. As the Kingdom of
Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia, officially the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), is a country in Western Asia. It covers the bulk of the Arabian Peninsula, and has a land area of about , making it the fifth-largest country in Asia, the second-largest in the Ara ...
economy grew in the 1970s and 1980s, so did its healthcare requirements. During this period the MOH oversaw the construction of hospitals in major cities and other health centers in areas with smaller populations. Eng.
Fahad Al-Jalajel Fahad bin Abdul-Rahman Al-Jalajel (Arabic: فهد بن عبدالرحمن الجلاجل) is the Minister of Health of Saudi Arabia since 15 October 2021. Early life and education Al-Jalajel was born in Texas, United States on 17 August 1978. ...
is the current Minister of Health, who was appointed as the Minister of Health after
Tawfig Al-Rabiah Tawfig F. AlRabiah (Arabic: توفيق بن فوزان الربيعة) (born 26 October 1965) is the current Minister of Hajj and Umrah for Saudi Arabia. He served as Minister of Health from May 2016 until October 2021 when he became Minister o ...
was relieved from this position in October 2021 and appointed Minister of Hajj and Umrah.


History


Foundation of Ministry (1925-1960)

In 1925, Saudi Arabia's first public health department was established in
Mecca Mecca (; officially Makkah al-Mukarramah, commonly shortened to Makkah ()) is a city and administrative center of the Mecca Province of Saudi Arabia, and the holiest city in Islam. It is inland from Jeddah on the Red Sea, in a narrow v ...
. The department was founded with the aim to increase the quality and access to healthcare in the country. In the first few decades of its existence, the Ministry focused on the development of hospitals and other healthcare infrastructure in Saudi Arabia. Additional regulation was also added with healthcare centers enforcing regulations to provide necessary standards for practicing
medicine Medicine is the science and practice of caring for a patient, managing the diagnosis, prognosis, prevention, treatment, palliation of their injury or disease, and promoting their health. Medicine encompasses a variety of health care pr ...
and
pharmacology Pharmacology is a branch of medicine, biology and pharmaceutical sciences concerned with drug or medication action, where a drug may be defined as any artificial, natural, or endogenous (from within the body) molecule which exerts a biochemica ...
. A
public health Public health is "the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting health through the organized efforts and informed choices of society, organizations, public and private, communities and individuals". Analyzing the det ...
council was also established to address the growing need for healthcare services, and it was the highest-level supervisory board, overseeing all aspects of the country’s healthcare services. The various healthcare institutions were merged to become a ministerial body in 1950. Abdullah bin Faisal Al Saud was the first health minister and served in the position for three years with his main role to set up the newly formed ministry. He served in the position for three years. He was replaced by
Rashad Pharaon Rashad Pharaon (1912–1990) was a Syrian-born Saudi Arabian medical doctor who served as the personal physician of Ibn Saud, founder of Saudi Arabia. He also held various official posts during the reigns of three consecutive Saudi kings, King Sa ...
who was personal doctor of
King Abdulaziz Abdulaziz bin Abdul Rahman Al Saud ( ar, عبد العزيز بن عبد الرحمن آل سعود, ʿAbd al ʿAzīz bin ʿAbd ar Raḥman Āl Suʿūd; 15 January 1875Ibn Saud's birth year has been a source of debate. It is generally accepted ...
, and he served in the post between 1954 and 1960.


Growing healthcare importance (1960s-1990s)

Following
World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the World War II by country, vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great power ...
, Saudi Arabia's oil production increased dramatically and many remote areas began to see an influx of workers to work in the
oil industry The petroleum industry, also known as the oil industry or the oil patch, includes the global processes of exploration, extraction, refining, transportation (often by oil tankers and pipelines), and marketing of petroleum products. The larges ...
. This meant that developing regions in the Kingdom required more healthcare infrastructure, which was subsequently provided. The initial management of this expansion in the early 1960s fell under the responsibility of Hassan bin Yousef Nassief and Hamid bin Mohammad Al Harsani, the third and fourth ministers of health. They each served a year in the position, from 1960 to 1962. Later in the 1960s, the growth turned the country into a regional and global power. Following a number of conflicts in the 1960s and 1970s, Saudi Arabia's importance in the region grew. This continued rise in wealth meant that huge investments were made by the country's leaders, in order to improve the standard of living across the country. Health in the rural areas of the country became more accessible during this period, as communities that were once considered rural, were more integrated into society with the expansion of
oil field A petroleum reservoir or oil and gas reservoir is a subsurface accumulation of hydrocarbons contained in porous or fractured rock formations. Such reservoirs form when kerogen (ancient plant matter) is created in surrounding rock by the presen ...
s. This expansion required health facilities, which saw the first major rural expansion of medical care in the country's history. This was overseen by Dr. Yousef Bin Yaqoub Al Hairi and Shaikh Hassan bin Abdullah Aal Alshaikh, both of whom served as ministers of health in the mid to late 1960s. Cities such as
Riyadh Riyadh (, ar, الرياض, 'ar-Riyāḍ, lit.: 'The Gardens' Najdi pronunciation: ), formerly known as Hajr al-Yamamah, is the capital and largest city of Saudi Arabia. It is also the capital of the Riyadh Province and the centre of the ...
and
Jeddah Jeddah ( ), also spelled Jedda, Jiddah or Jidda ( ; ar, , Jidda, ), is a city in the Hejaz region of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and the country's commercial center. Established in the 6th century BC as a fishing village, Jeddah's pro ...
saw their healthcare infrastructure grow substantially. The expansion of the city infrastructure was essential, with
urbanization Urbanization (or urbanisation) refers to the population shift from rural to urban areas, the corresponding decrease in the proportion of people living in rural areas, and the ways in which societies adapt to this change. It is predominantly th ...
increasing in the country, with large corporations also moving their offices to the country with the growing economy. This early development was overseen by Dr. Jamil bin Ibrahim Al Hujailan and Dr. Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al Khuwaiter, who served as ministers in the early 1970s. The economic expansion did not only lead to the development of hospitals for citizens but also care for the Kingdom's military. In the 1970s saw the construction of
Riyadh Military Hospital Prince Sultan Military Medical City (PSMMC) also known as Riyadh Armed Forces Hospital is located in Riyadh City, the capital of Saudi Arabia, considered one of the most advanced centres in the Middle East. It is located in the heart of Riyadh. At ...
and many other major infrastructure projects that led to more accessible healthcare. A number of years later saw the creation of King Khalid University Hospital was also completed. Dr. Hussain bin Abdulrazzaq Al Jazairy played a major role in the Kingdom's improved hospitals during his eight-year tenure between 1975 and 1983.


Recent history (1990s-present)

Towards the end of the 1990s, Dr. Faisal bin Abdulaziz Al Hujailan finished serving as minister of health after twelve years. He to this day is still the longest-serving minister of health in Saudi Arabia's history. Al Hujailan's role as health minister was complex and varied. The health of the
military A military, also known collectively as armed forces, is a heavily armed, highly organized force primarily intended for warfare. It is typically authorized and maintained by a sovereign state, with its members identifiable by their distinct ...
and the people during this period was hugely important, due to the conflict surrounding
Iraq Iraq,; ku, عێراق, translit=Êraq officially the Republic of Iraq, '; ku, کۆماری عێراق, translit=Komarî Êraq is a country in Western Asia. It is bordered by Turkey to Iraq–Turkey border, the north, Iran to Iran–Iraq ...
's invasion of
Kuwait Kuwait (; ar, الكويت ', or ), officially the State of Kuwait ( ar, دولة الكويت '), is a country in Western Asia. It is situated in the northern edge of Eastern Arabia at the tip of the Persian Gulf, bordering Iraq to Iraq–Ku ...
and the surrounding conflicts, including the Battle of Khafji. A large coalition army was formed by the
United Nations The United Nations (UN) is an intergovernmental organization whose stated purposes are to maintain international peace and security, develop friendly relations among nations, achieve international cooperation, and be a centre for harmoni ...
and many were based in the Kingdom during the
Gulf War The Gulf War was a 1990–1991 armed campaign waged by a 35-country military coalition in response to the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait. Spearheaded by the United States, the coalition's efforts against Iraq were carried out in two key phases: ...
and tensions in the 1990s. Al Hujailan and the ministers who followed him had to not only care for the health of its people but also ground troops and wounded soldiers. In the early 21st century, two ministers played a major part in the development of new high-tech hospitals and infrastructure in many of the cities in the Kingdom. Of them, Hamad bin Abdullah Al Manie served between 2003 and 2009, with Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Rabiah serving for five years until 2014. Following Al Rabiah's departure, a number of well-known public officials served as ministers of health between 2014 and 2016. In total, five Ministers were appointed during this period, including Adel Fakeih, Dr. Mohammed Al-Hayaza and Khalid Al Falih. A new minister of health was announced in early 2016 as Dr. Tawfig Al Rabiah. The Kingdom has attempted to link lifestyle with health through a number of initiatives. This focused on attempting to solve the country's
obesity Obesity is a medical condition, sometimes considered a disease, in which excess body fat has accumulated to such an extent that it may negatively affect health. People are classified as obese when their body mass index (BMI)—a person's ...
issues. Taxes on unhealthy food products were introduced, as well as nutritional labeling. As part of the focus on tackling obesity, the health minister announced that the Kingdom would allow women to use women-only gyms. Local media had reported that women in the Kingdom often struggled to exercise enough during a typical day, which was leading to health issues in some women. Until 2018, healthcare in schools fell under the stewardship of the Ministry of Education. It was proposed by the Ministry of Health that this should change and should be managed by the Ministry of Health. In 2018, the responsibility was officially transferred between the two ministries. Additionally, periodic health checks were introduced for Saudi pupils at specific grade intervals. In April 2018, The
World Health Organization The World Health Organization (WHO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for international public health. The WHO Constitution states its main objective as "the attainment by all peoples of the highest possible level o ...
presented AlRabiah with certifications for two new health cities in the country. The cities were
Diriyah Diriyah ( ar, الدِرْعِيّة), formerly romanized as Dereyeh and Dariyya), is a town in Saudi Arabia located on the north-western outskirts of the Saudi capital, Riyadh. Diriyah was the original home of the Saudi royal family, and served ...
and Jalajil. Awards were also later given for the cities of
Unayzah Unaizah ( ar, عنيزة ) or officially The Governorate of Unaizah (also spelled Onaizah, Onizah, or Unayzah; ar, محافظة عنيزة ) is a Saudi Arabian city in the Al Qassim Province. It lies south of the province capital Buraydah and ...
and
Riyadh Al Khabra Riyadh Al Khabra ( ar, رياض الخبراء) is one of the governorates in Al-Qassim Region, Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia, officially the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), is a country in Western Asia. It covers the bulk of the Arabian Penins ...
. In February 2022, the Director-General of the
World Health Organization The World Health Organization (WHO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for international public health. The WHO Constitution states its main objective as "the attainment by all peoples of the highest possible level o ...
(WHO) congratulated Saudi Arabia in eliminating
Trachoma Trachoma is an infectious disease caused by bacterium '' Chlamydia trachomatis''. The infection causes a roughening of the inner surface of the eyelids. This roughening can lead to pain in the eyes, breakdown of the outer surface or cornea of ...
, a disease of the eye caused by infection with the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis. On February 27, 2022, the Ministry of Health launched the first virtual hospital in the Kingdom. The Seha Virtual Hospital is distinguished by being the largest in the world, the first of its kind in the Middle East, as well as the latest in virtual healthcare.


Services & strategies


National insurance agency

Under the leadership of
Tawfig AlRabiah Tawfig F. AlRabiah (Arabic: توفيق بن فوزان الربيعة) (born 26 October 1965) is the current Minister of Hajj and Umrah for Saudi Arabia. He served as Minister of Health from May 2016 until October 2021 when he became Minister o ...
, it was announced that the Kingdom would be creating a national health insurance agency, which would be managed by the Ministry of Health. It was announced that implementation would begin in 2018 and would be regulated centrally, but medical services would be independently provided. The move meant that
Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia, officially the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), is a country in Western Asia. It covers the bulk of the Arabian Peninsula, and has a land area of about , making it the fifth-largest country in Asia, the second-largest in the Ara ...
was one of the first countries in the
Middle East The Middle East ( ar, الشرق الأوسط, ISO 233: ) is a geopolitical region commonly encompassing Arabian Peninsula, Arabia (including the Arabian Peninsula and Bahrain), Anatolia, Asia Minor (Asian part of Turkey except Hatay Pro ...
to offer health insurance to its people.


Pilgrimage health

Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia, officially the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), is a country in Western Asia. It covers the bulk of the Arabian Peninsula, and has a land area of about , making it the fifth-largest country in Asia, the second-largest in the Ara ...
identified in the past decade that health concerns with pilgrims could cause severe problems to the country's infrastructure during the pilgrimage season. International Health Regulations were applied to
pilgrim A pilgrim (from the Latin ''peregrinus'') is a traveler (literally one who has come from afar) who is on a journey to a holy place. Typically, this is a physical journey (often on foot) to some place of special significance to the adherent of ...
s, in line with the
World Health Organization The World Health Organization (WHO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for international public health. The WHO Constitution states its main objective as "the attainment by all peoples of the highest possible level o ...
following the discovery, which would give better medical protection to more than two million people annually. This protection is provided by 25 hospitals, 155 health centers and a workforce of 30,000 medical professionals in the country. As part of the same strategy, a new contingency and emergency planning were introduced by the Minister, with the creation of the Saudi Disaster Medical Assistance Team (S-DMAT). The newly formed relief team would be used during pilgrimage season, but could also be deployed to neighboring countries in times of crisis.


Apps

One major new service was the creation of eHealth Analytics, abbreviated to Seha. The platform allows Saudi citizens to connect with a physician via the
Internet The Internet (or internet) is the global system of interconnected computer networks that uses the Internet protocol suite (TCP/IP) to communicate between networks and devices. It is a '' network of networks'' that consists of private, p ...
and remotely. The app ‘Med Consult’ was launched in collaboration with King Salman Center for Relief and Humanitarian Aid (KSRelief) and the support of the
World Health Organization The World Health Organization (WHO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for international public health. The WHO Constitution states its main objective as "the attainment by all peoples of the highest possible level o ...
. This app enables visual communication to provide medical consultations among health practitioners in Low to Middle-Income Countries (LMIC) with consultants all over the world.


Artificial intelligence

Since the mid-2010s, the Ministry has had an increased focus on
artificial intelligence Artificial intelligence (AI) is intelligence—perceiving, synthesizing, and inferring information—demonstrated by machines, as opposed to intelligence displayed by animals and humans. Example tasks in which this is done include speech ...
. As a medium to long term aim, trails and developments demonstrated how
Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia, officially the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), is a country in Western Asia. It covers the bulk of the Arabian Peninsula, and has a land area of about , making it the fifth-largest country in Asia, the second-largest in the Ara ...
could become a pioneering country in medical AI. With partnerships with the likes of
Siemens Siemens AG ( ) is a German multinational conglomerate corporation and the largest industrial manufacturing company in Europe headquartered in Munich with branch offices abroad. The principal divisions of the corporation are ''Industry'', ''E ...
and Babylon Health, it is believed that AI operations and other advanced forms of AI could be tested in the country within the next decade.


Saudi Center for Disease Prevention and Control

In recent years,
Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia, officially the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), is a country in Western Asia. It covers the bulk of the Arabian Peninsula, and has a land area of about , making it the fifth-largest country in Asia, the second-largest in the Ara ...
has created and developed the Saudi Center for Disease Prevention and Control (Weqaya), often abbreviated to CDC. The announcement of a newly formed CDC came in 2013, which became the first centralized facility of its kind in the Kingdom. The main goals of the facility were to research and treat various health issues across the country, while also conducting experiments. It was believed at the time of its creation, the CDC would dramatically boost the country's health sector. A new commission was formed in 2016 to aid the treatment of
Hepatitis C Hepatitis C is an infectious disease caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV) that primarily affects the liver; it is a type of viral hepatitis. During the initial infection people often have mild or no symptoms. Occasionally a fever, dark urine, ...
in the country. The aims of the commission are to eradicate the disease from the domestic population in the Kingdom. This also coincided with the creation of a new Saudi-made medicine that would be used to treat the
virus A virus is a submicroscopic infectious agent that replicates only inside the living cells of an organism. Viruses infect all life forms, from animals and plants to microorganisms, including bacteria and archaea. Since Dmitri Ivanovsk ...
. Wider initiatives on the treatment of disease were also implemented, with
flu vaccination Influenza vaccines, also known as flu shots, are vaccines that protect against infection by influenza viruses. New versions of the vaccines are developed twice a year, as the influenza virus rapidly changes. While their effectiveness varies ...
s becoming a focus. Between 2016 and 2018, vaccinations in the country quadrupled. The vaccinations were made possible with the launch of rural medical care in the country. Mobile primary care became a new initiative under the Minister's guidance, which meant rural citizens in the Kingdom could access health-related services more easily. The care industry in
Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia, officially the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), is a country in Western Asia. It covers the bulk of the Arabian Peninsula, and has a land area of about , making it the fifth-largest country in Asia, the second-largest in the Ara ...
recognized that more people required home visits as part of a wider initiative to help the elderly and those less mobile. The Minister increased the number of services that could be implemented during home visits. It was estimated that 250,000 home visits were conducted by the end of 2018. In August 2022, the World Health Organization (WHO) recognized (Weqaya) as a national center for
influenza Influenza, commonly known as "the flu", is an infectious disease caused by influenza viruses. Symptoms range from mild to severe and often include fever, runny nose, sore throat, muscle pain, headache, coughing, and fatigue. These symptom ...
in
Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia, officially the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), is a country in Western Asia. It covers the bulk of the Arabian Peninsula, and has a land area of about , making it the fifth-largest country in Asia, the second-largest in the Ara ...
. This recognition comes not only due to the achievement of the highest standards and quality in the authority's laboratories, but also to Weqaya's regular participation in the
WHO Who or WHO may refer to: * Who (pronoun), an interrogative or relative pronoun * Who?, one of the Five Ws in journalism * World Health Organization Arts and entertainment Fictional characters * Who, a creature in the Dr. Seuss book '' Horton He ...
external quality assurance project, and the regularity of reports related to influenza surveillance data submitted to
WHO Who or WHO may refer to: * Who (pronoun), an interrogative or relative pronoun * Who?, one of the Five Ws in journalism * World Health Organization Arts and entertainment Fictional characters * Who, a creature in the Dr. Seuss book '' Horton He ...
.


Tobacco clinics

As part of a move toward healthier citizens of the Kingdom, the Minister announced that there would be an expansion in the number of clinics to treat tobacco addiction. In order to reduce the number of people taking up smoking, the Kingdom also created a number of initiatives to take a stricter view on smoking as a whole. This included a tax increase on the sale of
cigarette A cigarette is a narrow cylinder containing a combustible material, typically tobacco, that is rolled into thin paper for smoking. The cigarette is ignited at one end, causing it to smolder; the resulting smoke is orally inhaled via the opp ...
s. The
University of Massachusetts The University of Massachusetts is the five-campus public university system and the only public research system in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The university system includes five campuses (Amherst, Boston, Dartmouth, Lowell, and a medical ...
also became involved in the initiatives, signing a partnership with the Kingdom to assist in the research of the treatment of tobacco addiction. In order to reduce the number of people taking up smoking, the Kingdom created a number of initiatives to take a stricter view on
smoking Smoking is a practice in which a substance is burned and the resulting smoke is typically breathed in to be tasted and absorbed into the bloodstream. Most commonly, the substance used is the dried leaves of the tobacco plant, which have b ...
, which saw a 97% increase in anti-smoking clinics from 254 to 504 clinics, in addition to 100 mobile units for universities and education directorates. Meanwhile, focusing on community consciousness, the MOH achieved a 336% increase in the proportion of breast cancer screenings and screened 61,000, while 3.75 million people were given flu vaccination. The then Minister of Health Dr. Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah received a global award on behalf of the Kingdom for combatting smoking through social awareness, treatment, and application of regulations. The award was presented as part of the 72nd session of the World Health Assembly, held in
Geneva Geneva ( ; french: Genève ) frp, Genèva ; german: link=no, Genf ; it, Ginevra ; rm, Genevra is the second-most populous city in Switzerland (after Zürich) and the most populous city of Romandy, the French-speaking part of Switzerland. Situa ...
in May 2019. After becoming one of the first nations to ratify the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control in 2005, it plans to reduce tobacco use from 12.7% in 2017, to 5% in 2030.


Youth health

Healthcare in schools until recently fell under the stewardship of the Ministry of Education. In 2018, the Council of Ministers transferred healthcare in schools to the Health Ministry. Following this, a thorough check was carried out into the processes at schools for children's health, and health checks for 339,825 pupils in 5,570 schools were implemented. In 2018, this was transferred across to the Health Ministry. Following this move, a thorough check was carried out into the processes at schools for children's health. It was decided that reform on health checks was required and subsequently implemented that all pupils in chosen grade intervals would have health checks. As a wider move to improve health infrastructure in the Kingdom, the Minister opened a number of new Cardiac centers, both for operations and research. The new facilities totaled six by the end of 2018, with performance indicators suggesting heart operation success was up to 96%. Due to the Kingdom's growing population, the MOH launched the Newborn Screening Program, which includes hearing tests and heart examinations, covering up to 96% of the Kingdom's babies. Other highly specialized services are offered in parallel with the
screening Screening may refer to: * Screening cultures, a type a medical test that is done to find an infection * Screening (economics), a strategy of combating adverse selection (includes sorting resumes to select employees) * Screening (environmental), ...
program.


Vision 2030

Healthcare and health infrastructure were a key performance indicator for
Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia, officially the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), is a country in Western Asia. It covers the bulk of the Arabian Peninsula, and has a land area of about , making it the fifth-largest country in Asia, the second-largest in the Ara ...
's Vision 2030, a program to increase standards across the Kingdom in a number of fields. Following its introduction in 2013, a number of major milestones were reached. The development of remote health meant that the 937 Call Center received a total of 3 million calls in 2018, this more than doubled from the 1.4 million the year prior. As part of the ongoing efforts to transform the digital interaction patients have in the country, a new app ‘Mawid’ was introduced to centralize health bookings. 10 million bookings have been made since its introduction, with five million using the app last year. Seha was also a success, allowing patients to speak remotely to a doctor or medical professional. It is believed that 300,000 people used the app in 2018 alone. Raising the levels of
productivity Productivity is the efficiency of production of goods or services expressed by some measure. Measurements of productivity are often expressed as a ratio of an aggregate output to a single input or an aggregate input used in a production proces ...
, efficiency and quality of performance in the provision of health services in hospitals, the Ministry is implementing the program «Health Performance - Ada’a» towards achieving the
Saudi Vision 2030 Saudi Vision 2030 ( ar, رؤية السعودية ٢٠٣٠ ''ruʾyah al-suʿūdiyah'') is a strategic framework to reduce Saudi Arabia's dependence on oil, diversify its economy, and develop public service sectors such as health, education, in ...
, and currently includes 98.8% of hospitals, where more than 40 indicators are used to measure performance in 7 service hubs, wherein positive results were achieved in reducing waiting periods in emergency and outpatient clinics. Enhancing Traffic Safety is one of the Kingdom's goals in its 2030 vision. Minister of Health is part of a ministerial committee overlooking the implementation of many initiatives and projects in all aspects of Traffic Safety dimensions, which focuses on enforcement, engineering, education, and emergency response. These efforts resulted in the reduction of fatalities by 33%, injuries by 21%, and
motor vehicle A motor vehicle, also known as motorized vehicle or automotive vehicle, is a self-propelled land vehicle, commonly wheeled, that does not operate on rails (such as trains or trams) and is used for the transportation of people or cargo. The ...
accidents by 34% in the last two years. Fatalities per 100,000 had been reduced from 28.8 in 2016 to 17.7 in 2018. The Kingdom is aiming to be the best in class in road safety by 2030. To strengthen the role of the private sector, the MOH has introduced electronic licensing services for medical facilities. Prior to the introduction of this license, the process used to take 120 days in many cases. The MOH has also enabled the sector to monitor itself through the self-assessment service, followed by inspections of health establishments to ensure that they are free of harmful health practices.


Alternative care

Health-care services in Saudi Arabia are provided by several public and private agencies. However, the ministry is the major planner and provider of these services.


937 Call Center

In line with the
Saudi Vision 2030 Saudi Vision 2030 ( ar, رؤية السعودية ٢٠٣٠ ''ruʾyah al-suʿūdiyah'') is a strategic framework to reduce Saudi Arabia's dependence on oil, diversify its economy, and develop public service sectors such as health, education, in ...
, the Saudi Ministry of Health introduced the 937 Call Center, which uses a toll-free number to provide medical services. The Center provides high-quality and immediate emergency assistance to patients as it fulfils their medical needs and requirements. The 937 number was an instant success in the Kingdom and by 2017 had reached a million annual medical calls. As the service grew, so did the quality of the medical feedback, with satisfaction ratings increasing 25% in less than one year. Once the
call center A call centre ( Commonwealth spelling) or call center (American spelling; see spelling differences) is a managed capability that can be centralised or remote that is used for receiving or transmitting a large volume of enquiries by telephone. ...
passed one million annual calls, it continued to grow, processing 80,000 calls a week by the end of 2018. The call center can also process and book appointments with a medical professional should it be required, which can be now done digitally since the introduction of a centralized booking system, known as ''Mawid''. The system can also be used for referrals for the first time, so physicians can refer patients to a hospital for a specific reason using the system. The most notable thing about this is not the technology, but that it is provided free of charge to
Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia, officially the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), is a country in Western Asia. It covers the bulk of the Arabian Peninsula, and has a land area of about , making it the fifth-largest country in Asia, the second-largest in the Ara ...
n citizens. When compared to US services, many similar offerings are privatized and operated by for-profit companies, such as
WebMD WebMD is an American corporation known primarily as an online publisher of news and information pertaining to human health and well-being. The site includes information pertaining to drugs. It is one of the top healthcare websites. It was fou ...
.


Ministry’s Response to COVID-19

By the end of December 2019,
China China, officially the People's Republic of China (PRC), is a country in East Asia. It is the world's List of countries and dependencies by population, most populous country, with a Population of China, population exceeding 1.4 billion, slig ...
witnessed a widespread of acute
pneumonia Pneumonia is an inflammatory condition of the lung primarily affecting the small air sacs known as alveoli. Symptoms typically include some combination of productive or dry cough, chest pain, fever, and difficulty breathing. The severit ...
cases, later known as
Coronavirus disease 2019 Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a contagious disease caused by a virus, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The first known case was identified in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. The disease quickl ...
COVID-19 Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a contagious disease caused by a virus, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The first known case was identified in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. The disease quick ...
. Thereafter, countries around the world started preparedness and response efforts, in different ways at different times, in an attempt to limit the spread of
COVID-19 Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a contagious disease caused by a virus, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The first known case was identified in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. The disease quick ...
. The
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia, officially the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), is a country in Western Asia. It covers the bulk of the Arabian Peninsula, and has a land area of about , making it the fifth-largest country in Asia, the second-largest in the Arab ...
was one of the first countries that started precautionary and preventive measures and anticipated the danger of this disease, which turned into a global
pandemic A pandemic () is an epidemic of an infectious disease that has spread across a large region, for instance multiple continents or worldwide, affecting a substantial number of individuals. A widespread endemic disease with a stable number of in ...
within a short period of time. The Kingdom did not limit its efforts to curb
COVID-19 Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a contagious disease caused by a virus, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The first known case was identified in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. The disease quick ...
to the local level, as it also expanded them to the international level, given its
political Politics (from , ) is the set of activities that are associated with making decisions in groups, or other forms of power relations among individuals, such as the distribution of resources or status. The branch of social science that studi ...
,
strategic Strategy (from Greek στρατηγία ''stratēgia'', "art of troop leader; office of general, command, generalship") is a general plan to achieve one or more long-term or overall goals under conditions of uncertainty. In the sense of the "art ...
, and
economic An economy is an area of the production, distribution and trade, as well as consumption of goods and services. In general, it is defined as a social domain that emphasize the practices, discourses, and material expressions associated with th ...
roles. These are evident with the Kingdom's leadership role during its presidency of the G20 for the year 2020. Moreover, several international bodies and media channels praised the Kingdom’s efforts at the national and international levels to strengthen response, develop a treatment, and ensure the availability of preventive equipment, as well as its $500 million contributions to support global efforts to curb the
pandemic A pandemic () is an epidemic of an infectious disease that has spread across a large region, for instance multiple continents or worldwide, affecting a substantial number of individuals. A widespread endemic disease with a stable number of in ...
. This support is part of the Kingdom's commitment to fund international organizations according to the agreements announced at the G20 extraordinary summit initiated by the Kingdom. The
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia, officially the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), is a country in Western Asia. It covers the bulk of the Arabian Peninsula, and has a land area of about , making it the fifth-largest country in Asia, the second-largest in the Arab ...
participated in the Pledging Conference hosted by the
European Commission The European Commission (EC) is the executive of the European Union (EU). It operates as a cabinet government, with 27 members of the Commission (informally known as "Commissioners") headed by a President. It includes an administrative body ...
and led by the
World Health Organization The World Health Organization (WHO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for international public health. The WHO Constitution states its main objective as "the attainment by all peoples of the highest possible level o ...
(WHO) to advance the work of Access to
COVID-19 Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a contagious disease caused by a virus, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The first known case was identified in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. The disease quick ...
Tools (ACT) Accelerator, as a member and one of the founders of this landmark Global Initiative, which espouses the shared commitment of all partners to equitable global access to innovative tools for
COVID-19 Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a contagious disease caused by a virus, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The first known case was identified in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. The disease quick ...
for all. The launch of the ACT Accelerator has catalyzed an unprecedented level of the partnership of key actors and relevant stakeholders across sectors, to align and coordinate efforts in pursuit of the accelerated development, production, and equitable access to new
COVID-19 Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a contagious disease caused by a virus, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The first known case was identified in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. The disease quick ...
diagnosis, therapeutics, and vaccines, thus ensuring that in the fight against
COVID-19 Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a contagious disease caused by a virus, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The first known case was identified in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. The disease quick ...
, no one left behind. Owing to the experience that the Kingdom accumulated over the years in risk management and assessment to secure national and global health, ensure the security and the safety of
Hajj The Hajj (; ar, حَجّ '; sometimes also spelled Hadj, Hadji or Haj in English) is an annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, the holiest city for Muslims. Hajj is a mandatory religious duty for Muslims that must be carried o ...
and
Umrah The ʿUmrah ( ar, عُمْرَة, lit=to visit a populated place) is an Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca (the holiest city for Muslims, located in the Hejazi region of Saudi Arabia) that can be undertaken at any time of the year, in contrast to t ...
pilgrims every year, and develop a highly efficient health system, and to its previous experience in curbing the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV); the Kingdom took several early, evidence-based precautionary measures at the highest levels. The Kingdom's success in “flattening the epidemic curve”, thanks to the strict measures it took early based on scientific evidence and previous experiences, the attack rate in the country was 9 cases per 1,000 population, tests were conducted at a rate of 13,000 tests per 100,000 population, and the case fatality rate was at 1% compared to 3.47% globally, as of August 23, 2020. Although COVID-19 has the same origins as MERS-CoV and the
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a viral respiratory disease of zoonotic origin caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV or SARS-CoV-1), the first identified strain of the SARS coronavirus species, ''sev ...
(SARS), the development of
COVID-19 Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a contagious disease caused by a virus, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The first known case was identified in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. The disease quick ...
is not yet fully clear. The Kingdom’s leadership relied on its previous experience with the spread of the
MERS-CoV ''Middle East respiratory syndrome–related coronavirus'' (''MERS-CoV''), or EMC/2012 ( HCoV-EMC/2012), is the virus that causes Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS). It is a species of coronavirus which infects humans, bats, and camels. Th ...
to take a series of proactive and precautionary measures to curb
COVID-19 Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a contagious disease caused by a virus, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The first known case was identified in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. The disease quick ...
before the first case was confirmed in the country on March 2, 2020. These measures included activating Command and Control Centers (CCCs), suspending travel to China, and suspending entry to the Kingdom using tourist visas. On 28 February, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia announced the temporary suspension of entry for
Gulf Cooperation Council The Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf ( ar, مجلس التعاون لدول العربية الخليج ), also known as the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC; ar, مجلس التعاون الخليجي), is a regional, inter ...
(GCC) citizens to Mecca and Medina. Citizens of the GCC who had been in Saudi Arabia for more than 14 consecutive days and didn't show any
symptom Signs and symptoms are the observed or detectable signs, and experienced symptoms of an illness, injury, or condition. A sign for example may be a higher or lower temperature than normal, raised or lowered blood pressure or an abnormality showi ...
s of the
COVID-19 Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a contagious disease caused by a virus, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The first known case was identified in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. The disease quick ...
would be excluded from this rule. After the first case was confirmed in the Kingdom, firm and effective precautionary measures were taken to impose
social distancing In public health, social distancing, also called physical distancing, (NB. Regula Venske is president of the PEN Centre Germany.) is a set of non-pharmaceutical interventions or measures intended to prevent the spread of a contagious dis ...
, and strengthen key capabilities and resources on several fronts for virus containment, prevention, preparedness, detection, and treatment, as part of an integrated national approach to combating the
pandemic A pandemic () is an epidemic of an infectious disease that has spread across a large region, for instance multiple continents or worldwide, affecting a substantial number of individuals. A widespread endemic disease with a stable number of in ...
. Some of these measures included the suspension of Umrah, education, and all international and domestic flights; the launch of Mass field testing; and the expansion of laboratory capacity to conduct over nine million
COVID-19 Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a contagious disease caused by a virus, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The first known case was identified in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. The disease quick ...
tests. On 19 March, Saudi Arabia suspended the holding of
daily prayers Prayer is an invocation or act that seeks to activate a rapport with an object of worship through deliberate communication. In the narrow sense, the term refers to an act of supplication or intercession directed towards a deity or a deifie ...
and the
Friday prayer In Islam, Friday prayer or Congregational prayer ( ar, صَلَاة ٱلْجُمُعَة, ') is a prayer ('' ṣalāt'') that Muslims hold every Friday, after noon instead of the Zuhr prayer. Muslims ordinarily pray five times each day according ...
s in and outside the two mosques in Mecca and Medina to limit the spread of coronavirus. Similar measures were carried out across the country during the same week. On 20 March, Saudi Arabia suspended entry and praying to the general public at the
two Holy Mosques Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques (abbreviation ''CTHM''; ar, خَادِمُ ٱلْحَرَمَيْنِ ٱلشَّرِيفَيْنِ, '), Servant of the Two Noble Sanctuaries or Protector of the Two Holy Cities, is a royal style that has been u ...
in Mecca and Medina to limit the spread of the coronavirus. Other measures included a partial then total curfew in various regions of the Kingdom, and the decision to treat all citizens, legal and illegal residents for free without any consequences. The Kingdom’s Position among the G20 Countries While the Kingdom, chair to the G20 summit for 2020, many of these countries are still recording varying numbers of
COVID-19 Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a contagious disease caused by a virus, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The first known case was identified in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. The disease quick ...
confirmed cases and deaths. The Kingdom had the lowest
COVID-19 Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a contagious disease caused by a virus, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The first known case was identified in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. The disease quick ...
case fatality rates at lower than 1%, while Italy and France had the highest rate at 15%, and China had a rate of 5%. Risk Assessment Since the beginning of the
pandemic A pandemic () is an epidemic of an infectious disease that has spread across a large region, for instance multiple continents or worldwide, affecting a substantial number of individuals. A widespread endemic disease with a stable number of in ...
, the Kingdom has based its decisions on the
risk assessment Broadly speaking, a risk assessment is the combined effort of: # identifying and analyzing potential (future) events that may negatively impact individuals, assets, and/or the environment (i.e. hazard analysis); and # making judgments "on the ...
of the
COVID-19 Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a contagious disease caused by a virus, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The first known case was identified in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. The disease quick ...
spread at the international and domestic levels. The “Jeddah Tool” was used to conduct a strategic assessment of the health risks of
Umrah The ʿUmrah ( ar, عُمْرَة, lit=to visit a populated place) is an Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca (the holiest city for Muslims, located in the Hejazi region of Saudi Arabia) that can be undertaken at any time of the year, in contrast to t ...
and
Hajj The Hajj (; ar, حَجّ '; sometimes also spelled Hadj, Hadji or Haj in English) is an annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, the holiest city for Muslims. Hajj is a mandatory religious duty for Muslims that must be carried o ...
due to the
pandemic A pandemic () is an epidemic of an infectious disease that has spread across a large region, for instance multiple continents or worldwide, affecting a substantial number of individuals. A widespread endemic disease with a stable number of in ...
. This assessment revealed that the risks of
Umrah The ʿUmrah ( ar, عُمْرَة, lit=to visit a populated place) is an Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca (the holiest city for Muslims, located in the Hejazi region of Saudi Arabia) that can be undertaken at any time of the year, in contrast to t ...
were “extremely high”. Accordingly, a recommendation was made and a decision was issued to suspend Umrah. “Salem COVID Tool” was used to assess the health risks of
COVID-19 Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a contagious disease caused by a virus, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The first known case was identified in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. The disease quick ...
in mass gatherings and events, which resulted in the cancellation and suspension of many events before a curfew was imposed. “Jeddah” and “Salem COVID” tools are scientific risk assessment tools that the Ministry of Health’s Global Center for Mass Gatherings Medicine (GCMGM), a
WHO Who or WHO may refer to: * Who (pronoun), an interrogative or relative pronoun * Who?, one of the Five Ws in journalism * World Health Organization Arts and entertainment Fictional characters * Who, a creature in the Dr. Seuss book '' Horton He ...
collaborating center, developed based on scientific methods and reviewed and studied its application several times. Precautionary measures The Ministry announced several precautionary measures for the general public to limit the spread of
COVID-19 Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a contagious disease caused by a virus, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The first known case was identified in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. The disease quick ...
, such as: *Avoid going out unless necessary *Stay at home if one suspects having
COVID-19 Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a contagious disease caused by a virus, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The first known case was identified in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. The disease quick ...
symptoms * Self-isolate at home and report anyone who has symptoms *Provide educational materials for the
community A community is a social unit (a group of living things) with commonality such as place, norms, religion, values, customs, or identity. Communities may share a sense of place situated in a given geographical area (e.g. a country, village, t ...
*Suspend all gatherings and promote the “We Are All Responsible” campaign *Ban gatherings in residences, workplaces, and
businesses Business is the practice of making one's living or making money by producing or buying and selling products (such as goods and services). It is also "any activity or enterprise entered into for profit." Having a business name does not separ ...
. Hajj 2020 - A success story In a success story, Hajj for the year 1441 AH (2020G) was organized with great efforts and cooperation of the authorities under these exceptional circumstances. The Kingdom applied meticulous and multi-stage procedures to select a limited number of pilgrims from different nationalities from within the Kingdom, with the aim of reducing and preventing health risks for pilgrims and workers. This included close monitoring and conducting tests before, during, and after the Hajj period for the selected few. As a result, the Kingdom organized a healthy, safe Hajj with no COVID-19 reported cases. Risk Communication and Community Engagement Strategic and effective tasks were completed in cooperation with the relevant authorities to communicate with the community and engage it, under MOH’s leadership. Which is centered around traditional channels of communications through TVs, radios, and text messages, as well as
technology Technology is the application of knowledge to reach practical goals in a specifiable and reproducible way. The word ''technology'' may also mean the product of such an endeavor. The use of technology is widely prevalent in medicine, scien ...
and
digital Digital usually refers to something using discrete digits, often binary digits. Technology and computing Hardware *Digital electronics, electronic circuits which operate using digital signals ** Digital camera, which captures and stores digital ...
health programs, through the optimal use of media by publishing the most prominent developments about the pandemic and developing awareness campaigns through its website https://covid19awareness.sa/ aimed at spreading awareness among the community, as well as through WhatsApp messages and the use of various electronic applications such as “Tetamman“ and “Mawid” applications. Further actions that took place included daily joint press conferences to highlight the latest updates, the production of high-quality media materials by the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Media, and the Center for Government Communication, and awareness campaigns to urge citizens to stay at home for their safety. E-health *Developed the 937 hotline to support the
community A community is a social unit (a group of living things) with commonality such as place, norms, religion, values, customs, or identity. Communities may share a sense of place situated in a given geographical area (e.g. a country, village, t ...
by answering inquiries, giving instructions and providing
medical Medicine is the science and practice of caring for a patient, managing the diagnosis, prognosis, prevention, treatment, palliation of their injury or disease, and promoting their health. Medicine encompasses a variety of health care practic ...
and
psychological Psychology is the scientific study of mind and behavior. Psychology includes the study of conscious and unconscious phenomena, including feelings and thoughts. It is an academic discipline of immense scope, crossing the boundaries bet ...
consultations on all aspects related to
COVID-19 Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a contagious disease caused by a virus, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The first known case was identified in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. The disease quick ...
around the clock; *Launched additional channels to reach the community in addition to the existing channels, such as offering the 937-health service on
WhatsApp WhatsApp (also called WhatsApp Messenger) is an internationally available freeware, cross-platform, centralized instant messaging (IM) and voice-over-IP (VoIP) service owned by American company Meta Platforms (formerly Facebook). It allows use ...
using a chatbot on the number 920005937 to provide advice and educational information on
COVID-19 Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a contagious disease caused by a virus, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The first known case was identified in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. The disease quick ...
, as well as launching the Sign Language Application “Eshara”, to reach deaf people and provide them with services and information; *Activated the role of virtual clinics, telemedicine, teleconsultation, tele-radiology, and
robotics Robotics is an interdisciplinary branch of computer science and engineering. Robotics involves design, construction, operation, and use of robots. The goal of robotics is to design machines that can help and assist humans. Robotics integrat ...
use to prevent the spread of
COVID-19 Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a contagious disease caused by a virus, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The first known case was identified in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. The disease quick ...
. *Started tracking and tracing in drawings, and then immediately taking action to digitize the same. *Aside from the “Taqasi” track and trace platform, through which suspected and confirmed cases can be reported, the Ministry of Health launched or revamped several other apps to help fight
COVID-19 Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a contagious disease caused by a virus, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The first known case was identified in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. The disease quick ...
. *An existing e-consultation health app called "Sehha", which uses AI-enhanced chatbots, was updated to be able to identify potential infections and facilitate communication with isolated patients. *The Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) also launched an exposure notification and distancing application called " Tabaud", which uses
Bluetooth Bluetooth is a short-range wireless technology standard that is used for exchanging data between fixed and mobile devices over short distances and building personal area networks (PANs). In the most widely used mode, transmission power is limi ...
to alert individuals who may have come in contact with infected people. A central data warehouse is also being used, where
COVID-19 Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a contagious disease caused by a virus, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The first known case was identified in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. The disease quick ...
information is aggregated, analyzed, and reported. Coronavirus Vaccination Campaign Saudi Arabia started registration for the vaccinations through its Sehaty app in early December 2020. And with the arrival of COVID vaccines, and after being approved by the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA),
Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia, officially the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), is a country in Western Asia. It covers the bulk of the Arabian Peninsula, and has a land area of about , making it the fifth-largest country in Asia, the second-largest in the Ara ...
became one of the first countries in the Arab world on December 17, 2020, to launch its coronavirus vaccination campaign by administering the first doses of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine to healthcare workers and the elderly Saudis and expats who had registered through the Sehaty app. The Kingdom’s Minister of Health, Dr.
Tawfig AlRabiah Tawfig F. AlRabiah (Arabic: توفيق بن فوزان الربيعة) (born 26 October 1965) is the current Minister of Hajj and Umrah for Saudi Arabia. He served as Minister of Health from May 2016 until October 2021 when he became Minister o ...
, was among the first batch to be vaccinated as a gesture to reassure and encourage people. “We confirm that the
COVID-19 Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a contagious disease caused by a virus, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The first known case was identified in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. The disease quick ...
vaccine is safe.” There are over 550 clinics in the center to ensure that there is a sufficient quantity of clinics to give the largest possible number of vaccinations. The coronavirus vaccination centers are spread in all the regions of
Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia, officially the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), is a country in Western Asia. It covers the bulk of the Arabian Peninsula, and has a land area of about , making it the fifth-largest country in Asia, the second-largest in the Ara ...
. The registrations registered a three-fold increase after HRH Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman was administered the vaccine. Thereafter,
Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia, officially the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), is a country in Western Asia. It covers the bulk of the Arabian Peninsula, and has a land area of about , making it the fifth-largest country in Asia, the second-largest in the Ara ...
witnessed a tremendous response after the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman received the vaccination. Vaccination centers were opened in other major cities of
Jeddah Jeddah ( ), also spelled Jedda, Jiddah or Jidda ( ; ar, , Jidda, ), is a city in the Hejaz region of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and the country's commercial center. Established in the 6th century BC as a fishing village, Jeddah's pro ...
,
Dammam Dammam ( ar, الدمّام ') is the fifth-most populous city in Saudi Arabia after Riyadh, Jeddah, Mecca, and Medina. It is the capital of the Eastern Province. With a total population of 1,252,523 as of 2020. The judicial and administrative ...
, Medina, and Mecca later. The vaccination centers have been expanded to all other regions from the first day of the second phase of the campaign which started on February 18, 2021. The Ministry of Health also launched the mobile coronavirus vaccination service by vaccinating people inside their cars. The vaccination campaign is going in full swing and more than 780 thousand people have been vaccinated until the end of February 2021. More than 42 million COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered in Saudi Arabia until the end of September 2021, with more than 53 percent of the country’s 34.8 million population completing the course. The number of COVID-19 doses administered in Saudi Arabia until the end of January 2022 increased to more than 57 million doses. At the end of February 2022, the immunization rate in the Kingdom reached 99% among those aged above 12. More than 67 million COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered in Saudi Arabia until the end of August 2022, with more than 77 percent of the country’s 34.8 million population completing the course. Results and Success Lessons *Holding a daily press conference at a fixed time by MOH’s official spokesperson *Sending over 6.6 billion awareness text messages in several languages *Reaching over 150 million views for educational videos, with over 9 million people benefitting from field awareness campaigns *Reaching over four million followers on the Ministry’s Twitter and @saudiMOH937 accounts, with the most popular tweets being about
COVID-19 Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a contagious disease caused by a virus, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The first known case was identified in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. The disease quick ...
and its prevention *937 line received over 10 million calls, including inquiries about
COVID-19 Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a contagious disease caused by a virus, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The first known case was identified in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. The disease quick ...
*Telemedicine services provided over five million consultations *MOH’s
COVID-19 Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a contagious disease caused by a virus, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The first known case was identified in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. The disease quick ...
prevention website in various languages reached over 15 million visitors *More than 1.5 million beneficiaries from the Tetamman application.


Former Ministers of Health


References


External links

*
Ministry of Health
on
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Fahad Al-Jalajel
on Twitter {{DEFAULTSORT:Ministry of Health 1950 establishments in Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia, Health
Health Health, according to the World Health Organization, is "a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease and infirmity".World Health Organization. (2006)''Constitution of the World Health Organ ...
Healthcare in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia, officially the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), is a country in Western Asia. It covers the bulk of the Arabian Peninsula, and has a land area of about , making it the fifth-largest country in Asia, the second-largest in the Ara ...