Growth in volunteering in the health sector: 2 million hours and 32,000 volunteers
In 2025, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia witnessed exceptional digital leaps reflecting growing community awareness, with the Ministry of Health recording record numbers in healthcare volunteering. This achievement was manifested in the completion of two million volunteer hours, with the participation of more than 32,000 volunteers from various disciplines. This contribution was not limited to physical and professional effort, but also included generous financial donations exceeding 84 million Saudi Riyals through the “Shifa” platform, underscoring the strength of community cohesion and the genuine desire to support healthcare and provide treatment to those in need.
Roots of Giving: An Ambitious Vision for a Vibrant Society
These achievements were not spontaneous, but rather the fruit of deep strategic planning closely linked to the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030. Since the launch of the Vision, the wise leadership has set an ambitious goal of reaching one million volunteers across various sectors. In this context, the Health Sector Transformation Program has emerged as a key pillar that has paved the way for fostering a culture of giving. Historically, charitable health work relied on scattered individual efforts, but with institutional development and digital transformation, volunteer work has become organized and precisely targeted to serve national health priorities, contributing to building a robust infrastructure that supports community initiatives and ensures their sustainability.
Unprecedented surge in the number of organizations and personnel
Recent statistics from relevant authorities reveal that the number of volunteers in non-profit health organizations has tripled compared to 2023. The number jumped from 8,800 to 32,500 by the end of this year. Concurrently, indicators show a significant increase in the number of non-profit organizations under the supervision of the Ministry of Health, reaching 360 organizations, representing a growth rate of 80%. This substantial expansion underscores the growing role of the third sector as an indispensable strategic partner in delivering health and preventative initiatives, thus alleviating the burden on government institutions.
Strategic dimensions of promoting volunteering in the health sector
is highlighted of volunteering in the health sector by its profound and far-reaching impact at the local and regional levels. Locally, this movement helps bridge gaps in healthcare provision, particularly in remote areas, and enhances quality of life. Medical records indicate that the voluntary blood donation rate reached 99%, an 8% increase from the previous year. Notably, there was a significant jump in the female blood donation rate, which rose by 72% to reach 17.2%, reflecting women's empowerment and active participation in saving lives. Regionally and internationally, the Kingdom presents a model to be emulated in managing institutional health volunteer work, thus strengthening its soft power and its position as a leading nation in humanitarian action.
Shifa Platform and Innovation in Health Endowments
To ensure the sustainability of these efforts, technology played a crucial role. Official figures show that the health endowment through the “Shifa” platform achieved steady growth of 23%, exceeding 84 million riyals. This figure is not merely a financial statistic; it reflects the increasing direct community support for healthcare services and demonstrates the success of digital transformation in facilitating the delivery of donations to those in need with high transparency and reliability. The combined efforts of organizations, volunteers, and financial supporters create an integrated healthcare system capable of efficiently and effectively addressing future challenges.
