Saudi Arabia Enhances Home Healthcare Services for Citizens

SAUDI ARABIA: The Ministry of Health in Saudi Arabia has made significant strides in expanding home healthcare services across the Kingdom, continuing its commitment to improving patient care and enhancing the overall healthcare experience. This expansion is in line with the broader objectives of the Health Sector Transformation Program and Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to improve access to high-quality healthcare services.

Enhancing Home Healthcare Services

According to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), the Ministry of Health has successfully increased the reach of its home healthcare services to more than 58,000 active cases within just one year. Since the service was first introduced, over 71,000 individuals have benefited from the program. The home healthcare services are delivered through 244 dedicated home healthcare departments, staffed by over 2,700 specialized professionals.

The Ministry provides a wide array of basic services to meet the healthcare needs of individuals in their homes. These services include wound and bed-sore treatment, chronic disease management, home visits, post-operative care, and oral and dental health services. Intravenous therapy is also included as part of the offering, addressing the needs of patients who require ongoing medical support without leaving their homes.

Introduction of New Services

In addition to these core services, the Ministry has introduced new offerings to further support patients’ needs. The expansion includes specialized care services such as mother and childcare, dialysis for patients with kidney conditions, and palliative care for those in need of end-of-life support. These new services aim to improve the quality of life for a broader range of patients and are part of the Ministry’s ongoing efforts to diversify healthcare solutions and ensure comprehensive care.

The introduction of these services is also aligned with the Ministry’s goal to improve the quality of living for patients by providing treatment options that can be accessed from the comfort of their homes. The Ministry emphasized that these services are available through referrals from primary healthcare services or specialized hospital departments, provided that the patients meet the necessary eligibility criteria.

Contribution to Saudi Vision 2030

The expansion of home healthcare services is one of the key components of Saudi Arabia’s ongoing healthcare reform efforts under the Health Sector Transformation Program. This initiative is designed to enhance the accessibility and quality of healthcare across the Kingdom, ensuring that services are more responsive to the diverse needs of the population.

The Ministry’s focus on home healthcare is just one aspect of the broader efforts to overhaul the health system. This initiative supports the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, which envisions a healthcare sector that is more efficient, equitable, and accessible for all citizens.

Technological Advancements in Healthcare

In addition to expanding home healthcare, the Ministry of Health has made significant advancements in the use of technology to improve healthcare delivery. According to the Saudi Press Agency, the Sehhaty platform facilitated over 51 million virtual consultations in 2024 alone, demonstrating the increasing reliance on digital tools to provide healthcare services remotely.

Furthermore, the Wasfaty platform has seen more than 14 million users, who have collectively recorded over 40 million prescriptions. This digital infrastructure plays a crucial role in streamlining access to healthcare services and medications for the public, helping to reduce barriers to care.

The Ministry also highlighted the growing role of health volunteers in supporting the healthcare system, with over 632,000 volunteers having participated in the program since its inception. These volunteers have contributed to the success of various healthcare initiatives, assisting in the delivery of services and supporting the Kingdom’s healthcare infrastructure.

As these initiatives continue to evolve, the Ministry of Health is working towards fulfilling its vision of a healthier, more accessible, and patient-centered healthcare system in Saudi Arabia.