Abstract
The demand for quality healthcare delivery is crucial for any rapid growing population, such as that of Saudi Arabia. The government has set healthcare strategies over the decades that have promoted equality and benefits to all citizens. However, several issues and challenges have faced the healthcare system, and properly understanding them can pave the way to finding sustainable solutions. Under the Ministry of Health (MOH) and in adherence to the national healthcar e model, health service provision has primarily remained a government responsibility, while citizens or patients have enjoyed health services and treatment free of charge (MOH, 2019). The role of the private healthcare sector is nominal in comparison to the public one, but private companies have provided essential contributions in the provision of health. The issues and challenges in the healthcare system include the rapid population growth and the differences in demographics, a lack of sufficient healthcare personnel as a result of the poor education system and high costs and budgeting for healthcare resulting in major expenses for the government. Dealing with these issues and others is the purpose for undertaking this research. The knowledge of these issues and challenges through research can be a stepping stone towards finding sustainable solutions for the Saudi Arabia healthcare system.
References
- Albejaidi, F. M. (2010). Healthcare system in Saudi Arabia: An analysis of structure, total quality management and future challenges. Journal of Alternative Perspectives in the Social Sciences,2, 794–818.
- Al-Ahmadi H., & Roland M. (2005). Quality of primary health care in Saudi Arabia: A comprehensive review. International Journal for Quality in Health Care, 17(4), 331–46.
- Al Asmri, M., Almalki, M. J., Fitzgerald, G., & Clark, M. (2019). The public healthcare system and primary care services in Saudi Arabia: a system in transition. Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal, 25.
- Al-Hanawi, M. K., Khan, S. A., & Al-Borie, H. M. (2019). Healthcare human resource development in Saudi Arabia: Emerging challenges and opportunities—a critical review. Public Health Reviews, 40(1), 1.
- Al-Hanawi, M. K., & Qattan, A. M. (2019). An analysis of public-private partnerships and sustainable health care provision in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Health Services Insights, 12, 1178632919859008.
- Al-Hanawi M. K. (2017). The healthcare system in Saudi Arabia: How can we best move forward with funding to protect equitable and accessible care for all? International Journal of Healthcare, 3(2), 78–94. doi:10.5430/ijh.v3n2p78
- Alharbi, M. F. (2018). An analysis of the Saudi health-care system’s readiness to change in the context of the Saudi National Health-care Plan in Vision 2030. International Journal of Health Sciences, 12(3), 83.
- Almutairi, K., & Moussa, M. (2014). Systematic review of quality of care in Saudi Arabia. Saudi Medical Journal, 35(8), 802−809.
- AlYami, M. S., & Watson, R. (2014). An overview of nursing in Saudi Arabia. Journal of Health Specialties, 2(1), 10.
- Al‐Yousuf , Akerele T., & Al‐Mazrou Y. (2002). Organization of the Saudi health system. Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal, 8(4), 645−653.
- Amir A. K. (2012). The Saudi healthcare system: A view from the minaret. World Health & Population, 13(3), 52–64.
- Anyansi-Archibong, C. B. (2015). Contemporary issues surrounding ethical research methods and practice. Hershey, PA: IGI Global.
- Barrage, G., Perillieux, R, & Shediac, R. (2007). Investing in the Saudi Arabian healthcare sector. Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates: Booz & Co.
- Baranowski, J. (2009). Health systems of the world – Saudi Arabia profiling a consultant’s view of the health care system of Saudi Arabia. Global Health,2, 1–8.
- El Bcheraoui, C., Tuffaha, M., Daoud, F., Kravitz, H., AlMazroa, M. A., Al Saeedi, M., ... & Mokdad, A. H. (2015). Access and barriers to healthcare in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, 2013: findings from a national multistage survey. BMJ Open,5(6), e007801.
- Hyde, P., & McBride, H. (2011).The healthcare workforce. In: Walshe, K., Smith, J. (Eds.), Healthcare Management(2nd ed.). Buckingham, UK: The Open University Press. 337–400.
- MOH (2019). Health statistic annual book. Ryiadh, Saudi Arabia: MOH. book. http://www.moh.gov.sa/en/Ministry/Statistics/book/Pages/default.aspx.Up-dated2017. Accessed 2 November, 2019.
- O'Dwyer, L. M., & Bernauer, J. A. (2014). Quantitative research for the qualitative researcher. London: SAGE Publications.
- Patton, M. Q. (2015). Qualitative research & evaluation methods: Integrating theory and practice. London: SAGE Publications.
- Rahman, R., & Alsharqi, O. Z. (2019). What drove the health system reforms in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia? An analysis. The International Journal of Health Planning and Management, 34(1), 100−110.
- Sajjad R., & Qureshi, M. (2018). An assessment of the healthcare services in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: An analysis of the old, current, and future systems. International Journal of Healthcare Management, 1–9.
- Salloum, N. A., Cooper, M., & Glew, S. (2015). The development of primary care in Saudi Arabia. InnovAiT, 8, 316–318.
- Sensing, T. (2011). Qualitative research: A multi-methods approach to projects for doctor . New York: Wipf and Stock Publishers.
- Stake, R. E. (2010). Qualitative research: Studying how things work. London: Guilford Press.
- Walston S., Al‐Harbi Y., & Al‐Omar B. (2008). The changing face of healthcare in Saudi Arabia. Annals of Saudi Medicine, 28( 4), 243−250.
- Yusuf, N. (2014). Private and public healthcare in Saudi Arabia: Future challenges. International Journal of Business and Economic Development (IJBED), 2(1).
Corresponding Author
Abdullah Almaliki
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v11i12.19
