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Overview of Primary Health Care in Saudi Arabia

May 2025

1. What are the guiding principles or health policies informing health services in Saudi Arabia? 

Saudi Arabia’s health system is guided by national strategic plans such as Vision 2030 and the Health Sector Transformation Program, emphasizing preventive care, accessibility, and universal health coverage. These frameworks integrate the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations and prioritize health promotion across sectors. 

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2. What is the structure of the overall health system, and specifically of primary care?  

The Ministry of Health is the central provider and regulator, covering around 60% of services. Care is tiered from primary to quaternary levels. Health Clusters, introduced under Vision 2030, aim to integrate services regionally for better efficiency and patient outcomes. 

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3. Who delivers primary care in your country?

Primary care is delivered by multidisciplinary teams led by family physicians and general practitioners, with ongoing national efforts to increase Saudi participation and specialization. The SCFHS oversees credentialing and training programs. 

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4. Who provides leadership in primary care?

Leadership is centralized under the Ministry of Health and supported by the Saudi Health Council. Operational leadership is executed through Health Clusters. SCFHS and medical societies support clinical governance and workforce development. 

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5. What are the main sources of funding for health services overall and for primary care specifically? 

Public funding covers 77% of total health expenditure, with private insurance and out-of-pocket spending comprising the rest. Primary care is largely government-funded. The Cooperative Health Insurance Council manages private health coverage systems. 

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6. How accessible is primary care for the general population?

PHC centers are widely distributed across the Kingdom. Services are available for free or through insurance, and digital tools like Mawid and Sehhaty support appointments and virtual consultations. 

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7. How does your country ensure the quality of primary care services?

Accreditation by CBAHI, performance monitoring, and professional licensing by SCFHS ensure consistent quality. PHC centers are being upgraded digitally and operationally to align with national standards. 

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8. How are people and communities involved in decision-making and the delivery of primary care?

Community empowerment teams and patient feedback systems (e.g., 937 hotline) ensure participatory service design. Public health campaigns and Healthy Cities initiatives promote civic health engagement. 

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9. How would you describe the political economy of primary care in your setting?

With the shift from a hospital-centric model to PHC-focused systems, Saudi Arabia leverages public finance, health clusters, and regulatory reforms to enhance sustainability. Vision 2030 reforms aim to rebalance care delivery and cost-efficiency. 

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Saudi Arabia’s Health System and Primary Health Care

Saudi Arabia’s health system is predominantly government-led, with the Ministry of Health (MOH) serving as both provider and regulator of the majority of health services. Under the national Vision 2030 and the Health Sector Transformation Program, the Kingdom is undergoing major reform to enhance efficiency, equity, and sustainability, shifting from a hospital-centric model to a value-based system centered on primary care. The system is structured into tiers, with over 2,000 primary healthcare centers (PHCs) forming the foundation. These PHCs offer preventive, curative, and maternal services and are increasingly integrated into regional Health Clusters for improved coordination and outcomes. Leadership in primary care is driven by the MOH, Saudi Health Council, and the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCFHS), which oversees credentialing and workforce development. Recent reforms have strengthened clinical governance, digital infrastructure, and access through innovations such as Sehhaty and Mawid platforms. 

Beyond service delivery, primary health care in Saudi Arabia functions as a guiding orientation for the health system and broader society. Policies promote health equity, community empowerment, and prevention through public health campaigns, mobile services, and Healthy Cities initiatives. Quality assurance is supported through CBAHI accreditation and national performance benchmarks. Together, these reforms advance a people-centered approach to health, aligning with international standards and Vision 2030’s ambition to foster a vibrant society and comprehensive universal health coverage. 

List of Sources 

  1. Health Sector Transformation Program  – Vision 2030
  2. National Transformation Program (NTP) – Vision 2030
  3. Ministry of Health – Vision Realization Office (MOH-VRO) 
    Overview of health clusters and reform strategy
  4. Sehhaty Application – Ministry of Health 
    Digital healthcare services and e-consultations
  5. Mawid Appointment Booking System – Ministry of Health 
  6. Saudi Health Council – Reports and Publications
    Strategic leadership and governance body
  7. Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCFHS) 
    Training, licensure, and workforce development
  8. Saudi Central Board for Accreditation of Healthcare Institutions (CBAHI) 
    Accreditation standards and PHC quality
  9. Council of Cooperative Health Insurance (CCHI) 
    Regulator of private insurance system
  10. World Health Organization (WHO) – Country Cooperation Strategy for Saudi Arabia
  11. Healthy Cities Program – WHO and MOH Collaboration 
    Civic engagement and public health