“Check Your Health” Campaign: 10 Free Preventive Checkups During Ramadan
In a significant step to promote public health and prevent disease, His Excellency the Minister of Health, Mr. Fahd bin Abdulrahman Al-Jalajel, launched the “Check Your Health” awareness and prevention campaign on Monday across all regions and cities of the Kingdom. This campaign, launched by the Health Holding Company and its affiliated health clusters, is part of ongoing efforts to achieve the goals of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 in the health sector, which focuses on shifting from a treatment-based healthcare model to one centered on prevention and early detection.
General context: Health transformation within the framework of Vision 2030
The “Check Your Health” campaign falls within the broader context of the Health Sector Transformation Program, a key component of Saudi Vision 2030. This program aims to restructure the health sector into a comprehensive and efficient system that ensures easy access to healthcare services and enhances the quality of life for citizens and residents. Over the past years, the Kingdom has witnessed significant investments in healthcare infrastructure and the launch of impactful initiatives focused on preventative healthcare, such as programs to combat chronic diseases, vaccination campaigns, and early detection screenings. This strategy has proven successful, with statistics indicating a marked increase in health awareness, evidenced by a 120% increase in colorectal cancer screenings in a single year, confirming that a culture of prevention has become an integral part of the community's health practices.
The importance of the campaign and its expected impact
The campaign aims to provide 10 essential preventative screenings that enable beneficiaries to proactively diagnose and treat diseases, thus reducing the burden on hospitals and advanced treatment centers. These screenings include blood pressure measurement, obesity screening, early detection of colon and breast cancer, and other important vital signs. The campaign was launched during a visit by Minister Al-Jalajel to the “Make Sure for Your Health” center in Riyadh, which offers its services through an innovative drive-through model, allowing beneficiaries to undergo screenings from the comfort of their cars, ensuring speed, privacy, and the highest quality standards.
Domestically, the campaign is expected to contribute to reducing chronic disease rates and improving life expectancy, a key performance indicator of Vision 2030. It also reinforces the role of primary healthcare centers and family physicians as the first point of contact in the healthcare system. Regionally and internationally, these initiatives position the Kingdom as a leader in public health and healthcare innovation, offering a successful model that can be leveraged to develop other healthcare systems.
Strategic timing and easier access to services
The campaign's launch coincides with the holy month of Ramadan to encourage citizens and residents to take advantage of this time to prioritize their health and visit primary healthcare centers. This timing reflects a deep understanding of social and cultural dynamics and their utilization to achieve national health goals. The modern Saudi healthcare model, which begins with the family physician, facilitates access to efficient and high-quality preventive and curative services, making health a priority that is easily accessible to all.
