Health Holding Company: Billions in bonuses to stimulate health transformation

A strategic step within Vision 2030

In a historic move reflecting the scale of the transformation underway in Saudi Arabia's healthcare sector, Health Holding Company has begun disbursing transfer bonuses to its employees who have moved from the Ministry of Health's civil service system to the social security and employment system within the company's healthcare clusters. This initiative, valued at over two billion Saudi riyals, is a key component of the Healthcare Transformation Program, a cornerstone of Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to restructure the healthcare system to enhance its efficiency, quality, and sustainability.

This shift represents a significant move from a centralized government operating model to a decentralized and efficient institutional model. The Health Holding Company assumes the role of service provider through its network of health clusters across the Kingdom, while the Ministry of Health focuses on its role as regulator and legislator for the sector. This separation of service provision from regulation aims to enhance transparency and accountability and improve the overall patient experience.

Details of bonuses and safeguarding employee rights

Approximately 27,000 employees will benefit from these substantial bonuses. This initiative fulfills the commitments outlined in Cabinet Resolution No. 616, which guarantees the preservation of all employment rights for transferred staff and recognizes their long careers and valuable contributions. The bonus is calculated at 16% of the basic salary for each year of service, up to a maximum of four basic salaries. This is a testament to their professional dedication, which has had a direct impact on building and developing healthcare services over the years.

The first wave of transfers, which included more than 62,000 health and administrative staff across three health clusters, witnessed an acceptance rate of 99.9%, reflecting the national staff’s confidence in the transformation process and the leadership’s commitment to preserving their rights and providing a stimulating work environment that allows them broader opportunities for professional and career development.

Expected impact on the health sector and society

This transformation will impact not only employees but the entire healthcare system and society. The new model is expected to increase operational efficiency, reduce waste, and foster a culture of performance and achievement. It also focuses on implementing a modern healthcare model that places people and their health at the center, emphasizing prevention over treatment and facilitating access to high-quality healthcare services for all citizens.

The Health Holding Company provides comprehensive healthcare through 20 health clusters across the Kingdom. These efforts complement the tangible progress achieved by the health sector, as the Vision 2025 report highlighted significant improvements in health indicators, such as reaching 97.5% coverage of basic health services in populated areas and a decrease in deaths from chronic and infectious diseases. This confirms that the Kingdom is steadily progressing towards building a leading and sustainable healthcare sector at both the regional and international levels.