RENOVATION OF FINANCING HEALTHCARE SERVICES IN KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA, BY IMPLEMENTING NATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE (NHI).

Abdulaziz Abdullah Al-Salem*

ABSTRACT

This paper reviews healthcare system and it’s financing in Saudi Arabia and how to provide healthcare to the growing number of expatriates in the kingdom. The paper focuses on the health system reform in Saudi Arabia as it is implementing a National Health Insurance system. The goal of this policy change is to increase the participation of the private sector in the health care market and decrease the cost of providing healthcare services on the government. It is also expected to have a positive effect on access to healthcare, effectiveness, efficiency, cost, and quality of care, adaptation of new technology and utilization of healthcare services. We review the existing literature that covers health system problems and the new health system reform in Saudi Arabia. The public health relevance of this topic: health system reforms are intended to bring out better health outcomes for the populations. As Saudi Arabia is embarking on this change, it will be insightful to see if it will bring out the desired effects. Also, providing healthcare for expatriates is a challenge in many countries, if Saudi Arabia succeeds in providing quality healthcare to this segment of the population, other countries could follow the Saudi model.

Keywords: Renovation, Financing, Healthcare, System, and Health Insurance.