Home healthcare in Saudi Arabia: An alternative to hospitals for 18% of citizens
Coinciding with Saudi Home Healthcare Day, the Saudi Health Council unveiled an ambitious national strategy aimed at strengthening the healthcare system outside of hospitals. The Council explained in its comprehensive regulatory guide that home healthcare services target approximately 18.4% of Saudi citizens, a move reflecting a fundamental shift in the philosophy of healthcare delivery in the Kingdom.
The context of health transformation and Vision 2030
This strategic direction is an integral part of the Health Sector Transformation Program, one of the programs under the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which aims to restructure the health sector into a comprehensive, efficient, and integrated healthcare system. Historically, the sector has relied almost entirely on institutional care within hospitals, placing significant pressure on medical resources and beds. However, the new model of care seeks to promote preventative healthcare and bring curative services into the patient's family environment—a modern global trend that has proven effective in improving quality of life and reducing the risk of healthcare-associated infections.
From luxury to urgent necessity
The Saudi Health Council affirmed that home healthcare is no longer merely a supplementary service or a luxury, but has become an urgent necessity dictated by demographic and economic changes. This model contributes to reducing the exorbitant operational costs of traditional clinical care and alleviates the increasing pressure on emergency departments, thus allowing resources and medical personnel to be directed towards critical and complex cases requiring intensive medical intervention within hospitals.
Advanced medical services and strict safety standards
The new vision transcends the traditional concept of home nursing, encompassing a comprehensive suite of advanced medical services. These services include respiratory care and mechanical ventilation management, home dialysis, physical and occupational therapy, as well as psychosocial support. To ensure service quality, the council has established stringent infection control standards comparable to those implemented in operating rooms, with a focus on medication safety and regular review to prevent dangerous drug interactions, particularly in the elderly.
Social and economic impact
This expansion of home-based care has multiple positive dimensions. Socially, keeping patients with their families improves their mental well-being and accelerates recovery, avoiding the isolation of hospitals. Economically, it contributes to increased efficiency in government spending and frees up beds for emergency cases. The model also relies heavily on modern technologies and "telemedicine" care to monitor patients' vital signs in real time, ensuring a rapid medical response and reducing unnecessary visits to healthcare facilities, thus reinforcing patients' rights to know their treatment plan and participate in medical decision-making.
