RIYADH, June 2 (Bernama-SPA) -- Saudi Arabia is advancing a modern health model centred on innovative technologies, particularly artificial intelligence and medical robotics, as part of a strategic transformation aligned with Saudi Vision 2030, aimed at enhancing service quality and operational efficiency.
Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported that the shift from traditional healthcare to a value-based health system integrates advanced infrastructure, qualified personnel, research, local manufacturing, and investment.
This responsive system prioritises health maintenance and early prevention through digital health, AI-supported diagnostics, robotic surgeries, and virtual care.
Health Transformation: A New Philosophy of Care
Saudi Arabia’s health transformation represents a strategic shift from disease treatment to health maintenance. The new model emphasises home care and digital connectivity between patients and healthcare providers, facilitating unified systems, data integration, and improved access to sub-specialities.
The Seha Virtual Hospital exemplifies this integration, linking 242 hospitals and serving over 597,000 beneficiaries, thereby bridging geographic gaps and enhancing follow-up care for chronic and complex conditions. This model increases operational efficiency and reduces pressure on high-density facilities.
The transformation is supported by a robust healthcare infrastructure committed to sustainability. Investment in human capital focuses on developing specialised programmes to prepare leaders for a value-based care model that optimises quality and efficiency.
Artificial Intelligence: From Medical Decision to Proactive Care
The Ministry of Health's initiatives in AI align with the Health Sector Transformation Programme and Vision 2030 objectives to enhance life expectancy, service quality, and innovation.
At the 2025 Global Health Exhibition, the ministry introduced the "AI Physician" virtual doctor experience for accurate diagnoses and improved clinical decision-making. Additionally, the "smart health coach," developed with Google via the Sehhaty application, serves as a digital guide for beneficiaries, promoting preventive health behaviours and personalised recommendations.
Agreements and investments exceeding SAR133 billion were announced at the exhibition, showcasing the healthcare sector's rapid growth and the Kingdom's appeal to investors. This includes SAR31 billion for hospital infrastructure, over SAR12 billion for venture capital, and SAR2.3 billion in life sciences. Strategic partnerships in digital health were established with companies like HUMAIN, Lean Business Services, and Google Cloud, further advancing a world-class digital health system.
In June 2025, the ministry launched its Biotech Accelerator in partnership with BioLabs to foster innovation and global partnerships, enabling Saudi companies to enhance service quality. These efforts aim to build a vibrant society and a thriving economy, solidifying the Kingdom’s position in regional and global health innovation.
Robotic Surgery: Higher Precision and Less Intervention
Hospitals across several regions of the Kingdom are rapidly expanding the use of advanced robotic systems, including Da Vinci, ROSA, and CORI, in a wide range of surgeries such as cardiac procedures, organ transplants, tumour removal, joint replacements, spinal surgeries, brain operations, knee replacements, and thyroidectomies without neck incisions.
These cutting-edge systems allow surgeons to perform precise procedures through incisions as small as one centimetre, significantly reducing pain and accelerating recovery.
On May 19, 2025, King Abdullah Medical City, part of the Makkah Health Cluster, launched its advanced robotic surgery service with the Da Vinci Xi device, reinforcing its position as a reference centre for specialised care.
Equipped with a 3D camera and highly precise robotic arms, the system enables surgeons to access complex areas with accuracy through minimal incisions, compared to traditional surgical cuts that can exceed 10 centimetres.
This innovation has led to reduced pain, minimised bleeding, fewer blood transfusions, faster recovery, shorter hospital stays, and higher health facility capacity, ultimately enhancing system efficiency and improving the quality of clinical outcomes.
Smart Healthcare for Pilgrims
The Kingdom is committed to delivering high-quality healthcare to pilgrims, in line with the objectives of the Health Sector Transformation Programme and the Pilgrim Experience Programme, both pillars of Vision 2030, which aim to enhance quality of life and provide comprehensive, safe healthcare services.
As part of preparations for the 2025 haj season, the Ministry of Health worked to provide integrated healthcare services that meet the highest standards of quality and safety, ensuring a comprehensive health environment for pilgrims to perform their rituals with ease.
In May 2025, Minister of Health Fahad AlJalajel inaugurated the surgical robot project at King Abdullah Medical City, and reviewed an advanced PET-CT imaging device that enables early detection of tumours, heart disease, and neurological disorders, enhancing diagnostic accuracy and speeding up treatment decisions.
The Makkah Health Cluster also showcased a model of smart field care for the haj season through a suite of technological initiatives employing artificial intelligence in high-density environments.
In June 2025, it officially launched the “i-Selfie” project, a cutting-edge system that measures vital signs and electrocardiograms without contact, using optical and biometric sensing supported by AI algorithms that analyse blood flow in the face within seconds.
This innovation accelerated patient assessment by 70%, reducing the time to acquire vital signs from seven minutes to two minutes.
A clinical study conducted by the clinical research centre of the Seha Virtual Hospital, involving over 1,000 participants, demonstrated that the platform's accuracy is comparable to traditional devices, reinforcing its reliability as a low-cost and rapid solution in emergency environments.
The city's projects also included the interactive haj platform, available in over 200 languages via WhatsApp. Utilising AI, it provides health consultations and awareness, offering reliable preventative content accessible to every pilgrim, anytime, anywhere.
Additionally, the Makkah Health Cluster deployed a mobile stroke unit equipped with instant CT scans and live virtual consultations with specialists. This unit represents one of the latest field medical technologies available in the holy sites, designed to save pilgrims' lives with the fastest possible response time.
The mobile cardiac catheterisation service at East Arafat Hospital allowed for precise therapeutic interventions to be performed on-site, eliminating the need to transport patients.
Additionally, the Pharmini digital pharmacy assistant app, available in 11 languages, provides detailed explanations of medication uses, interactions, dosages, and prescription translations, along with live chat with specialised pharmacists.
Furthermore, the smart health assistant app was activated to provide pilgrims with preventative and educational content and direct them to the nearest healthcare facility when needed.
The King Abdullah Medical City also monitors the health of pilgrims with chronic illnesses using smartwatches connected to the Seha Virtual Hospital, enabling medical teams to follow up on pilgrims' conditions after their discharge.
-- BERNAMA-SPA
BERNAMA provides up-to-date authentic and comprehensive news and information which are disseminated via BERNAMA Wires; www.bernama.com; BERNAMA TV on Astro 502, unifi TV 631 and MYTV 121 channels and BERNAMA Radio on FM93.9 (Klang Valley), FM107.5 (Johor Bahru), FM107.9 (Kota Kinabalu) and FM100.9 (Kuching) frequencies.
Follow us on social media :
Facebook : @bernamaofficial, @bernamatv, @bernamaradio
Twitter : @bernama.com, @BernamaTV, @bernamaradio
Instagram : @bernamaofficial, @bernamatvofficial, @bernamaradioofficial
TikTok : @bernamaofficial
