The virtual health hospital provides 121,000 specialized services in a year
The "Seha Virtual Hospital" has achieved a significant milestone in the digital healthcare transformation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, with a recent report revealing that the hospital provided 121,104 specialized services last year. This figure reflects the success of the advanced digital healthcare model adopted by the Ministry of Health, which aims to enhance access to specialized and precise services and improve the efficiency of the healthcare system across the Kingdom, in line with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 to facilitate access to healthcare services.
Details of specialized services and critical care
Statistics demonstrated the accuracy and diversity of the services provided. The report indicated that the National Virtual Heart Committee provided services to 285 cases across 65 hospitals, including 111 adult cases and 174 pediatric cases. In the area of critical care, 4,486 adult patients benefited from critical care services across 13 hospitals, while 1,060 pediatric critical care cases were provided in 7 hospitals. Additionally, 4,927 neonatal critical care cases were covered across 8 hospitals, reflecting the hospital's high capacity for handling complex cases remotely.
Leadership in radiology and quality services
Radiology services accounted for the largest share of all services provided, with 99,264 cases handled across 112 hospitals. This highlights the significant reliance on digital technologies and artificial intelligence for accurate and rapid imaging and diagnosis. Other specialized services included providing care for 714 oncology cases across 21 hospitals, 4,293 cardiac arrest cases across 47 hospitals, 5,746 electroencephalography (EEG) cases across 24 hospitals, and 329 inpatient consultations.
Integration of health clusters and the international dimension
The role of the virtual health hospital was not limited to the Kingdom; its impact extended internationally, with 12 hospitals from outside the Kingdom participating to provide critical care services for 47 cases. Locally, the role of health clusters was prominent, with the Eastern Health Cluster providing 2,484 services, including cardiac, oncological, stroke, electroencephalography, and radiological care. The Al-Ahsa Health Cluster contributed 230 specialized services, and the Hafr Al-Batin Health Cluster provided 814 diverse specialized services.
The importance of the virtual model in the future of health
The Health Virtual Hospital is the largest of its kind globally and the first in the Middle East, utilizing cutting-edge artificial intelligence to connect consultant physicians at the center with peripheral hospitals in remote areas. This model directly contributes to equitable access to healthcare services, reducing the need to transport patients to major cities, thus saving time, effort, and costs. It also ensures patients receive advanced and immediate medical consultations regardless of their geographical location, a key pillar of the healthcare sector transformation program.
