Kidney dialysis centers in Saudi Arabia 2024: Comprehensive figures and facts
Official health indicators in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for 2024 revealed a qualitative leap in the healthcare system, specifically in the kidney dialysis . Data showed a broad national network comprising 263 specialized centers. These centers provide advanced medical services to more than 18,000 patients, achieving a Saudization rate exceeding 93%, reflecting the state's commitment to providing free and comprehensive healthcare for its citizens.
A healthy transformation in line with Vision 2030
These figures represent a practical implementation of the goals of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 and the Health Sector Transformation Program, which focuses on facilitating access to healthcare services and improving their quality. The importance of these centers lies not only in their number but also in their strategic geographic distribution, ensuring coverage of all regions of the Kingdom. This reduces the burden of travel for patients requiring regular dialysis sessions, ultimately contributing to a better quality of life for beneficiaries and their families.
Integration between the public and private sectors
The detailed data showed a map of service distribution based on strategic integration, with the operational distribution as follows:
- Ministry of Health: Operates 125 kidney dialysis centers.
- Other government agencies: They operate 88 centers (such as military and university hospitals).
- The private sector: It operates 50 centers, highlighting the role of partnership with the private sector in meeting increasing demand.
The total number of beneficiaries of these services reached 18,942 cases, with Saudi citizens constituting the largest segment at 17,658 patients (93.2%), compared to 1,284 cases for residents.
Demographic indicators and types of treatment
Regarding gender distribution, statistics showed a significant increase in the number of male patients, reaching 10,627, compared to 8,315 female patients. All patients receive specialized care according to the highest international standards in nephrology.
In terms of treatment modalities, hemodialysis accounted for the largest share, with a total of 17,734 patients. Governmental facilities outside the Ministry of Health bore the brunt of this treatment, treating 8,029 patients, followed by the private sector with 5,681 patients, and then Ministry of Health centers with 4,024 patients. In contrast, peritoneal dialysis cases were lower, totaling 1,208 patients. This technique is considered an important option that grants patients greater autonomy, and the majority of these cases were concentrated in centers other than those affiliated with the Ministry of Health.
The importance of sustainability of dialysis services
Kidney failure is a chronic health challenge that demands significant resources and highly specialized equipment. Therefore, the Kingdom's success in building and efficiently operating this integrated system reflects the strength of its healthcare infrastructure. Furthermore, expanding the procurement of services from the private sector has contributed to reducing waiting lists and ensuring patients receive their treatment sessions on time, setting a regional benchmark for managing chronic diseases.
