DUBAI - A report sponsored by Royal Philips, parent company of Philips Healthcare, on the future of healthcare in Saudi Arabia was released at this week's Arab Health meeting in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
The report, titled "Healthcare in Saudi Arabia: Increasing Capacity, Improving Quality," offers suggestions for expanding care capacity while also improving care quality for patients in the region. The company's Economist Intelligence Unit conducted interviews with healthcare professionals, policymakers, and academics, Philips said.
An annual population growth of 2.7%, along with increased incidence of chronic diseases such as diabetes, obesity, and heart disease, are challenging Saudi Arabia's existing healthcare infrastructure, according to the report. Also, rising healthcare costs are draining the region's financial resources.
The report suggests that more incentives could be offered to encourage private-sector investment in healthcare, according to Philips.
