Achievements of the health sector during the Crown Prince's era towards leadership
The memory of the pledge of allegiance to His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz as Crown Prince is renewed in the hearts of Saudis, marking a significant national milestone in the Kingdom's modern journey. Since assuming the Crown Prince position in 2017, this occasion has been linked to a pivotal phase of developmental, economic, and social transformations that have reshaped the nation's future. The Kingdom has witnessed an unprecedented leap towards achieving its ambitions, driven by "Saudi Vision 2030," launched in 2016, which seeks to build a diversified economy and a vibrant, prosperous society.
The “Health Sector Transformation Program” is one of the most important pillars of this vision, aiming to restructure the sector into a comprehensive, efficient, and integrated healthcare system. Over the years, the anniversary of the pledge of allegiance has become an occasion to reflect on the rapid achievements, most notably the medical advancements that reflect the scale of this transformation, making the Kingdom a regional and international model to be emulated in healthcare.
A station that evokes the journey of national transformation
Dr. Faisal Abdulrahim Shaheen, a health expert and senior consultant in nephrology, affirms that the anniversary of the Crown Prince's pledge of allegiance represents a national occasion during which the Kingdom recalls a historic phase of renewal. He says, "With this pledge, an ambitious development journey began, encompassing various fields. The pledge, in its national context, expresses the deep bond between the leadership and the people, and embodies a continuous journey of work and achievement." He explained that the past years have witnessed the launch of national initiatives and major development projects that have contributed to strengthening the economy and raising the quality of life, noting that what distinguishes this phase is the clarity of vision and the speed of implementation, which has enhanced the Kingdom's international standing.
Twin Separation Program: Global Medical and Humanitarian Leadership
For his part, Dr. Mohammed Bakr Qandieh, a consultant in family and community medicine, considers the Siamese twins separation program to be one of Saudi Arabia's most prominent humanitarian and medical achievements. The program has performed dozens of successful surgeries on children from various continents, reflecting the Kingdom's soft power and its leading humanitarian role.
Muhammad Qandiyah
Dr. Qandeh adds, “This program has become a global model in microsurgery. These successes would not have been possible without the significant support for the health sector and the remarkable expansion in the establishment of specialized hospitals that rival their counterparts in developed countries.” He emphasized that the Kingdom has become a regional medical destination thanks to its expertise and modern technologies, placing human beings at the heart of the development process.
Rapid development and infrastructure comparable to developed countries
In the same vein, Dr. Nabil Mohammed Brasha, a consultant in infertility and IVF at King Abdulaziz Medical City of the National Guard in Jeddah, explains that the health sector has witnessed development reflecting the leadership's commitment. He says, "Massive health projects have been implemented to develop the infrastructure, which has contributed to improving the quality of care provided to citizens and residents.".
Nabil Brasha
He pointed out that health transformation programs have strengthened the development of a system based on prevention rather than treatment, with significant progress achieved in cardiac surgery, organ transplantation, and cancer treatment. Dermatologist Dr. Haitham Mahmoud Shawli concurred, emphasizing that the medical renaissance has included bolstering scientific research and training personnel.
Haitham Shawli
Dr. Shaouli adds: “The expansion in building medical cities and specialized centers has increased capacity and reduced the need to travel abroad for treatment, which reflects the independence and strength of the Saudi health system.”.
Vision 2030 and the shaping of the national economy
On the economic and social front, social advisor Talal Mohammed Al-Nashri explains that Vision 2030 has brought about a qualitative shift. He says, “The vision has established a developmental framework for diversifying the economy and supporting investment in new sectors. It has focused heavily on investing in Saudi citizens as a fundamental pillar of development, through developing education and training and empowering youth and women.”.
Talal Al-Nashri
Digital Transformation: Artificial Intelligence and the Virtual Health Hospital
Social worker Marwa Mohammed Shahini concludes by highlighting the digital transformation, which she considers one of the most important achievements of this blessed era. She says, “The rapid digital transformation has become a fundamental pillar for enhancing the efficiency of the healthcare system. The Kingdom has made tremendous strides through telemedicine and electronic health records.”.
Marwa Shahini
In this context, the launch of the “Virtual Health Hospital,” the largest of its kind globally, and the “Sehhaty” app, which serves millions, stand out. Shahini adds, “Using artificial intelligence in early diagnosis and data analysis enhances the accuracy of medical care, thus fulfilling the goals of Vision 2030 to build an innovative and sustainable healthcare system that ensures the highest quality of life.”.
