Healthcare Financing in Saudi Arabia: A Comprehensive Review

Abstract

Saudi Vision 2030 is a game-changer for all aspects of the economy, including healthcare. This article provides a comprehensive overview of healthcare financing in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). It identifies key healthcare financing challenges that must be addressed to achieve the initiative's envisioned health system goals. The review also examines and demonstrates how healthcare funds in the KSA are allocated among different healthcare services, to offer a perspective on resource use efficiency at various healthcare levels. This research used a mixed-method design which includes a literature review and secondary data analysis. A literature review was conducted aligned with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) reporting guidelines. The secondary data were gathered from the reports and websites of government agencies, international organizations, and non-governmental organizations. Despite implementing significant reforms in its healthcare system, the share of private healthcare expenditure in total healthcare spending has seen only marginal growth. The current healthcare financing system appears insufficient to adequately support the chronically ill and the poor. There is a significant imbalance in the allocation of government budgets between hospitals and primary care, with four-fifths of financial resources directed towards hospital services. The Ministry of Health's budget allocation prioritizes personnel compensation, potentially reducing the available budget for medicines and other essential healthcare supplies. Ongoing reforms in the health sector, including privatization, public-private partnership initiatives, and the government's commitment to developing a robust primary healthcare network, are expected to play a significant role in controlling rapidly increasing public healthcare expenditures in Saudi Arabia.

Keywords: Saudi Vision 2030; challenges; health insurance; health system; healthcare.

Figure 1

Flow diagram based on guidelines of PRISMA.

Figure 2

Proportion of government, private, and OOP expenditures as a percentage of current health expenditure (2001–2018). Source: World Bank database.

Figure 3

Appropriations for MOH budget 2010–2023 (in %). Source: Health Budget, MOH (KSA).