Join this UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY to learn about the evolving healthcare landscape of Saudi Arabia, the largest medical market in the Gulf region, explore business and investment opportunities, and meet Saudi public entities driving the sector development as well as potential business partners.

The agenda of the visit is anchored by attendance at the Global Health Exhibition (GHE24), held under the patronage of the Ministry of Health (MOH) and supported by the Health Sector Transformation Program.

GHE, held for over 10 years, is the gateway to the Saudi health market, which accounts for 60% of the GCC healthcare expenditure. GHE2023 brought together 51,000 attendees, 147 exhibitors from 32 countries, and generated over $131.4 million in sales on the show floor. MOUs signed by 30+ companies were valued at over $880.5 million.

According to the World Health Organization, Saudi Arabia's healthcare system ranks 26th in the world, ahead of many wealthy nations. The healthcare and life sciences is one of the most attractive sectors in the Kingdom. According to Government sources, the healthcare contribution to the Kingdom's GDP is projected to reach $66.6 billion and create over 245,000 jobs by 2030. The healthcare expenditure on infrastructure, technologies, and services increased from $46.6 billion in 2018 to $68.2 billion in 2023. Key directions focus on disease prevention, infrastructure development, privatization of facilities and services, digital health (adoption of latest technologies to improve clinical decisions, service delivery, and operations efficiency), and workforce development. See below for a sector overview and opportunities.

About GHE24

The GHE24 agenda includes 12 tracks focused on digital health, health information management, healthcare intelligence (advanced diagnostics and intelligent decision making), clinical lab practices, personalized medicine, innovations in health tech, patient-centric healthcare through digitalized data and personal care, etc. The Healthcare Investor Program includes sessions on investment opportunities in Saudi Arabia, bootocamps and workshops focused on start-ups and angel investment, and pitch competitions.

The exhibition includes 10 Specialty Zones dedicated to Imaging and Radiology, Biotechnology, Digital, Lab, Start Up, Networking and Insurance, Wellness/Cosmetic Surgery, SEHA Virtual Hospital & Hospital Zone and Country Pavilions including the U.S. For information on the U.S. Pavilion, led by Kallman Worldwide​, opportunities to exhibit and/or sponsor, please visit the USA Partnership Pavilion​

For details and a list of over 90 local and international speakers confirmed to-date, please visit www.globalhealthsaudi.com​

Who Should Join the Delegation?

Target areas include:

• MedTech (remote monitoring and portable care; diagnostics and life sciences; nonsurgical medical treatments; surgical robotics)
• Pharmaceuticals (vaccine manufacturing)
• Medical equipment and supplies, devices, implants, infusion systems and pumps
• Healthcare IT (EHR & clinical information, operations, diabetes care management, remote monitoring and chronic condition management and prevention)
• Digital health applications (telehealth, digital therapeutics and treatment, health coaching and wellness, digital care management)
• AI applications (precision medicine, medical imaging analysis; workflow efficiency, clinical documentation, care navigation and coordination; digital point solutions)
• Wound care management devices
• Medical rehabilitation
• Long term care, skilled nursing facilities, rehabilitation hospitals, and multispecialty polyclinics (Construction, Operation, and Management)
• Virtual care solutions (clinics, tele-ICU, services)
• Private Equity, VC, accelerators and incubators

The Saudi Ministry of Investment has identified 62 investment opportunities in healthcare and life sciences sector. They are related to infrastructure, facilities management, operations, medical equipment, primary care centers, virtual/digital care, extended care, laboratories, radiology, cardiology, diabetes care, medical waste, etc. For more details on each of the 62 opportunities, please visit Opportunities (investsaudi.sa)​

In addition, as healthcare resources and workforce are limited in supply, there is an opportunity for companies with expertise in sophisticated training solutions for clinicians for workflow optimization as well as adopt the latest technologies that can automate or shorten the workflow, such as leveraging AI for clinical decision-making.

In terms of MedTech products, there is a growing demand for capital equipment, diagnostic devices, implantable devices (ophthalmic, dentistry, and cardiac surgery), consumables, remote, real-time patient monitoring devices, self-health management tools, and connected devices, as well as add-on services such as consultation on workflow management, coordination of production, inventory, location, and transportation.

Delegation Participation Fees:

• $1,500 per company (Council Members); $500 per additional team member
• $2,500 per company (Council Non-Members); $500 per additional team member

Services Covered by the Fee:

• Promotion of your product/service to targeted audiences in Saudi Arabia prior to the GHE24
• One-on-one meetings with exhibitors and GHE24 attendees relevant to each delegate
• Select group meetings with Saudi exhibitors (based on the composition of the delegation)
• Private briefing with key public and private stakeholders
• Group ground transportation from the recommended hotel to and from the GHE24 venue.

Expenses for air travel, lodging, incidentals, and meals are the responsibility of each participant. The Council will provide a hotel recommendation at a negotiated rate. We also offer Saudi business visa facilitation service for US citizens and/or green card holders at a discounted rate.

Registration for GHE2024 is free and must be completed at www.globalhealthsaudi.com

Saudi Healthcare Overview

The Kingdom has a population of 35 million, nearly 60% of which is under the age of 35. The Saudi population is expected to reach 39.5 million by 2030. By the same year, the population of vulnerable people aged 65 and up is expected to grow by 7% to reach nearly 5 million people. Medical conditions such as cancer, cardiovascular, and diabetes remain prevalent, and the Kingdom continues to invest significant resources in treatment, care, and research development.

The MOH, the supervisor of the majority of the Kingdom's hospitals, has transitioned from a service provider to a regulatory body, focusing on its planning, regulatory, and supervisory roles in healthcare. The care is delivered now via a network of healthcare delivery clusters across the Kingdom, with the capacity to serve 1-2 million people each. The Health Sector Transformation Program, launched in 2021, aims to improve access to health services, the quality and efficiency of healthcare services, promote health risk prevention. Economic reforms are reshaping healthcare delivery across the Kingdom in order to improve the quality of life of its citizens with a focus on infrastructure and medical tourism, privatization via PPP model, and digital health.

Saudi Medical Infrastructure

Saudi Arabia has more than 500 hospitals, 78,000 hospital beds, and 5,000 health clinics. However, the region needs close to 700 hospitals by 2030 (99,000 beds spread across government, private and semi-government), long term care centers, and suppliers of specialty services in areas such as oncology and cosmetology. The Kingdom also has five medical cities with capabilities to handle various conditions and treatments (King Fahad Medical City in Riyadh, King Abdullah Medical City in Makkah, King Khalid Medical City in Dammam, King Faisal Medical City for Southern Regions, and Prince Mohammed Bin Abdulaziz Medical City focused on the northern regions of Saudi Arabia). The Kingdom aims to privatize hundreds of hospitals and primary care centers and increase private sector participation from 40 percent to 65 percent.

Specific healthcare delivery clusters focus on oncology, cardiology and chronic care so MedTech companies have the opportunity to introduce disease-ownership models centered on end-to-end disease management, hardware, software, and professional services, and value-based care models.

Medical Tourism

Saudi Arabia aims to become a key medical tourism destination by developing high end health resorts and programs targeting religious tourists. Clinique La Prairie​ is a health/wellness resort will include facilities for preventative medicine, genetics, and epigenetics, treatments for fatigue, anxiety, digestive problems, insomnia, and diabetes, as well as a diagnostic lab and museum. Knowledge Economic City hub​ program combine cutting-edge healthcare with cultural and history excursions targeting pilgrims in need of medical treatment.

Digital Health

Saudi Arabia is home to SEHA Virtual Hospital, the largest of its kind in the world. Established in 2020, SEHA supports over 160 hospitals in the Kingdom, provides 15 main specialized health services including emergency and critical consultations on strokes and daily critical care tours; specialized clinics on blood diseases, psychiatry, kidney disease, endocrinology and diabetes, genetic and metabolic diseases, geriatric diseases, medical rehabilitation, and heart disease; medical support services on virtual rays, pathology, and pharmacy services; and home care services over 30 sub-specialty services. The hospital has a capacity of 400,000 patients annually.

In addition, since the COVID-19 pandemic when the MOH prioritized telemedicine, an estimated ten teleradiology enterprises were established. In addition, several digital health submarkets have emerged including smartphone apps for fitness, condition management apps, and applications or remote health monitoring. Consumers are beginning to see the value of digital health technologies in the context of comprehensive disease management and utilize internet and mobile apps to track their health.

Application Deadline: September 6, 2024

For questions and to register, please contact Ana Carmen Neboisa at anacarmen@ussaudi.org