On one of their latest endeavors, the Saudi Arabian health ministry partnered with Saudi Telecom Company to launch the first oncology e-platform in the MENA region.
The e-platform’s main aim is to provide a place where medical professionals who work in the oncology field can be able to share their knowledge, experience and expertise between other professionals both locally and internationally. This type of platform will also help patients with early tumor detection, treatment plans, and knowledge of different types of therapies.
Even though this specific platform is the first of its kind in the Middle East, this is not the first digital platform created by the Saudi Arabian health ministry. “Mawid” and “Seha” were also initiatives launched in order to enhance the medica sector and its processes, while facilitating practices and creating more efficiency.
When the apps were launched, it was reported in 2020 that more than 67 million appointments were booked through it, and in parallel 8.6 milllion consultation were given through the “Seha” app. It was also reported that there has been an increase in patient satisfaction up to 82.6% for primary care services.
This initiative comes as a part of Saudi Vision 2030, and specifically the Health Sector Transformation Plan. This plan purposes to reform the health sector in Saudi Arabia to an integrated system based on both the health of individuals and the society. According to the official website of Saudi Vision 2030, the key objectives of this programs are as follows:
- Facilitating access to healthcare services
- Improving the quality and efficiency of health services
- Promoting prevention of health risks
- Enhancing traffic safety.
By end of 2025, the plan aims to have 88% of the Saudi Arabian population to be covered by inclusive health services, including residents of rural areas. In terms of digital transformation, one of the KPIs as well are that 100% of Saudi Arabians will be “covered by the unified digital medical records system”.
