New Strategic Initiatives – A Case Study of the Saudi Health Ministry

Abstract

The Saudi health care system, is currently being transformed from a publicly financed and managed welfare system to that of a market-oriented, employment-based, insurance-driven system. This article studies the current health strategies, as well as challenges and future prospects of the Saudi Ministry of Health. It has been observed that there is inadequate coordination between some health industry sectors. There is need for a more extensive and rational health center network with improved information systems and data collection .There appears to be scope for a greater role for the private health sector and increased cooperation between it and the public sector to improve health service delivery. This is necessary if it is to achieve the ambitious goals set by the most recent (Ninth) health development plan. In the light of the above observations, it is proposed to prescribe appropriate recommendations to policy makers through an integrated new six dimensional model approach. The six dimensions are ‘Holistic Healing’ ‘Education,’  ‘Access’, ‘Leadership’, ‘Technology’, and ‘Human Resource’, -  the  ‘HEALTH’  approach.