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Saudi Arabia General News |
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Saudi Arabia, officially known as The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, has been a unified country since 1932, under the governance of the Abdul Aziz royal family. The modern day Saudi Arabia was a 30 year initiative by Abd Al-Aziz bin Abd al-Rahman Al Saud, to unify most of the Arabian peninsula in an attempt to strengthen and unify the region in attempts to keep up with the west. Abd Al-Aziz bin Abd al-Rahman Al Saud’s son, Abdallah bin Abd al-Aziz, is the current reigning monarch, as required by Saudi Arabia’s basic law, since 1992. Saudi Arabia is home to Islam’s two holiest cities, Mecca and Medina, which attract thousands of tourists every year. Due to this large scale of arriving tourists and pilgrims to Mecca and Medina, local health care infrastructure is up to international standard. However during Ramadan and pilgrims to the holy cities, local healthcare infrastructure is put heavily under strain.
The first official public health department in Saudi Arabia was established in Makka AlMukrma in 1925 by royal decree from King Abdel-Aziz Al-Saud, with branches in different provinces. Later on in the year hospitals, laboratories and dispensaries were also set up around the region to help efficiently deliver health services to the Saudi people. During this period Saudi Arabia saw the beginning of emphasis on prevention and environmental health. Following the Department of Health’s success, in 1926 a school of nursing was opened and later in 1927 a school dedicated to health and emergencies opened.
Following increased demand for medical services in the Saudi Arabia region a Ministry of Health was formally established in 1951. Prior to this date, the Saudi Arabian public saw an increase in quality and availability of health services. During the 1970 to 1980 period health services in the region were predominantly curative, as most health personnel had only received training in this area, however there were progressions being made towards preventative health services.
During the 1980’s the concept of primary health care in Saudi Arabia began to gain support, this was largely due to the popularity and wide success of the World Health Organization’s slogan ‘Health for all’. In 1980 a ministerial decree, led to the establishment of the health centres, administratively integrating the existing dispensaries, health offices, and maternal and child health centres into one unit. At the same time, health posts were upgraded to health centres, thus paving the way for delivery of integrated health services for the people of Saudi Arabia.
Recently the Saudi Health system was established by a royal decree in 2002, aimed at insuring the provision of comprehensive, affordable, and integrated healthcare services to all inhabitants in Saudi Arabia in an equitable and organized manner. This is done through the council of Health services headed by the minister of Health and composed of representatives of governmental and private health sectors.
Overall Saudi Arabia has a well developed and easily accessible healthcare service. As is true with any country in the world, there are some problems inherent in the system; however most people are able to receive the care that they need when they need it. The only way to avoid the issues and concerns of any healthcare system in the world is through a quality international health insurance plan. These plans give you the flexibility to go to the doctor or hospital of your choice, meaning that no matter where in the world you may be located, from Australia to the Yemen, you will always be able to receive the highest standard of care available.
For more information about the Saudi Arabian healthcare system, insurance in Saudi Arabia, or to receive a free comprehensive international health insurance quote, please contact one of our dedicated advisers today. |
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