Saudi Arabia Health Sector: Number of health workers increased in Saudi Arabia, doctors and nurses crossed 8 lakh, big change under Vision 2030

Saudi Arabia is working very fast to improve its health services. Now the total number of health workers here has crossed 8 lakh. The aim of the government is that every citizen can get good and easy medical facilities.

🚨: Saudi Health Rules: Strict action against doctors and clinics in Saudi Arabia, if the rules are broken, a fine of 1 lakh riyals will be imposed.

This entire exercise is being done under the Health Sector Transformation Programme. The Saudi government is making continuous efforts to modernize the country’s medical infrastructure and improve services.

Latest status of health workers

According to government data, there has been an increase in the number of different categories of health workers by the year 2024. From the table below you can understand how many doctors and nurses are working in Saudi now:

Vision 2030 and future plans

Under Saudi Vision 2030, big targets have been set in the health sector. The government will recruit 1 lakh 75 thousand more new health professionals by the year 2030. This will include 69,000 doctors, 64,000 nurses and 42,000 other health workers.

The Health Ministry said that between 2016 and 2023, the employment rate in the health sector has increased at the rate of 4.4%. The government has planned to spend 214 billion Saudi riyals (about $57 billion) for health and social development in the year 2024. This money will be used to build new hospitals and automate the ambulance system.

Impact on migrants and Indians

The health sector in Saudi Arabia is expanding, which may increase opportunities for Indian doctors and nurses. However, the government has emphasized ‘Saudization’, which is providing more jobs to local citizens. For example, the number of Saudi doctors in government hospitals is expected to increase from 29% in 2016 to 51% in 2023.

Additionally, the government will implement comprehensive public health insurance for all citizens by 2026. Access to health services will become easier with the expansion of digital health platforms and private sector.

• Health Sector Transformation Programme: This is part of Vision 2030 to make health systems sustainable.
• National Health Workforce Strategy: It was implemented in 2023 to enhance the skills of health workers.
• SDAIA: This authority has been formed to promote the use of AI and data in the health sector.