Question

Consider the political and economic factors that affect the Saudi Arabian healthcare system. How do these factors relate to privatization? Health insurance?

Write a paper that addresses the following:

• An introduction,
• At least two contemporary political factors that impact the KSA healthcare system
• At least two contemporary economic factors that impact the KSA healthcare system,
• The role of privatization in the context of these factors
• The role of health insurance in the context of these factors
• A conclusion.

Answer 1

Quality of care has seen influenced by political, global, economic, and social factors. In Saudi Arabia, these factors play a vital role to implement quality of care in Saudi hospitals. The political factor comes from the decision makers such as Ministry of Health since the regulations in health system are influenced by government. For global factor, qualified people from different countries and World Health Organization play an important role in terms of quality standards. Good finance resources will result in implementing quality of care. The social factor is seen when health organizations meet the expectations of the society. The implantation of quality of care is one of the significant reforms in health. This reform occurs due to the interrelationships between political, global, economic and social factors.

Political Structure and Influences Impacting on Quality in the Health Sector within Saudi Arabia

The Ministry of Health (MOH) has a very simple strategy, which is to offer free health services so that all residents of Saudi Arabia can take advantage of these services. Quality assurance is identified as a key principle in achieving the goals set by this strategy, as acknowledged by 2009 by King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud: “Saudi Arabia cannot achieve global competitiveness unless.There are four key areas that the MOH focuses on in order to offer complete healthcare services to the residents of Saudi Arabia. Firstly, it prioritises preventive healthcare. There is also a referral system for those patients who require any special form of treatment or care. In addition, MOH recognizes the need for increasing in-service training, specifically amongst the Saudi workers. Finally, enhanced efficiency of administration and health related research has been seen as important for improved quality in healthcare

Globalization Factors Impacting on Quality in Health Sector within Saudi Arabia

The healthcare sector in Saudi Arabia has been affected by globalisation in a number of ways.

• a rise in the need for high technology

• a rise in the need of professional expatriates because there are insufficient numbers of qualified Saudi Arabian medical personnel (Walston, Al-Harbi, and Al-Omar, 2008)

• changing policies in Saudi Arabia because of globalization as well as its membership of the World Bank and World Trade Organization

• a rise in the need of high quality of care

The economy of Saudi Arabia was struggling to meet the expectations of the population regarding health outcomes. However, in the 1980s, the Saudi economy witnessed a major turnaround, and this has impacted positively on health services. In 1973, Saudi Arabia prospered as a result of the oil embargo and this wealth was extended to many aspects of life, including health services (WHO, 2006). As a result of this newfound investment, mortality and morbidity rates reduced. For example, in 1987, Diphtheria, Polio, Measles and BCG vaccines provided protection for 89%, 89%, 77% and 93%, respectively of infants and children. In 1983, healthy drinking water and sanitary services were available to 93 per cent and 86 per cent of the population respectively

Dealing with these health issues are fundamental financial problems that Ministry of Health is finding difficult to cope with

Economic factors impacting on quality in the health sector within Saudi Arabia