Private sector investment in health hits SAR 4 bln in 2020: Ministry

Ministry of Health headquarters

Investments in the private health sector amounted to about SAR 4 billion in 2020, and the number of private health facilities reached about 17,000, Al Yaum newspaper reported, citing the Ministry of Health.

The ministry noted that investments in the health sector are promising, given the need for health services in light of population growth, especially with the development of laws and regulations, including opening foreign investments in the sector.

The ministry hopes to boost the private sector's contribution to investment in the health sector and raise its participation from 25% to 35%.

Moreover, the ministry noted the many approvals required for new investments in the sector and the implementation of health projects.

The Ministry of Health is working on reviewing the privatization plan in the sector over the next five years, through which a detailed package of privatization projects and the volume of targeted investments will be announced.

According to data compiled by Argaam, the Ministry of Health said it targets nine fields for private sector participation: health centers, operating new hospitals and medical cities, radiology, rehabilitation treatment, extended care, home care, laboratories and pharmacies, and supply.