AI Can Unlock $15-27 Billion in Economic Value for Saudi Healthcare Sector

Saudi Arabia’s health-tech sector is undergoing substantial transformation driven by artificial intelligence, promising significant economic and operational benefits, according to global management consulting firm McKinsey &co.

An analysis by McKinsey & Co forecast that Artificial Intelligence (AI) could unlock $15 billion to $27 billion in economic value for the Kingdom’s medical sector by 2030. This can be achieved by automating up to 40% of healthcare tasks, enhancing efficiency and reducing manual workload.

Such advancements align with Saudi Arabia’s ambition to emerge as a regional technology hub, with the medical sector being a key division benefiting from this digital transition.

Saudi Arabia’s Prime Minister and Crown Prince H R H Mohammed bin Salman has highlighted the potential of this revolution, and was quoted as saying: “We are living in a time of scientific innovation, unprecedented technology, and unlimited growth prospects. These new technologies, such as artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things, if used optimally, can spare the world many disadvantages and can bring enormous benefits to the world.”

Time of Transformation

According to a news report in Arab News, Nadine Hachach-Haram, a surgeon and co-founder of the health-tech platform Proximie, shared her observations about the transformative applications of the AI.

She said this could be used for enhancing patient safety, communication, and service efficiency across Saudi Arabia’s healthcare sector.

“AI use allows the automation of necessary but time-consuming and tedious administrative processes. Its implementation will help minimise errors, optimise efficiency, revolutionise patient care, and improve global healthcare accessibility,” she said.

She also underscored the government’s approach to fostering AI, including initiatives such as the National Data Bank and cloud infrastructure to support public and private sector collaboration.

Hachach-Haram explained that AI and machine learning are revolutionizing patient outcomes and healthcare service efficiency in the Kingdom as the nation embraces these technologies to align with the Saudi Health Sector Transformation Program.

This undertaking is a pivotal element of the Ministry of Health’s strategy under Vision 2030, which aims to enhance medical care access and modernize facilities to ensure the well-being of the populace.

Proximie, a global healthcare platform, is at the forefront of this shift, playing a critical role in the SEHA Virtual Hospital’s efforts to overcome geographical constraints, enhance patient safety, and facilitate the sharing of medical expertise across Saudi Arabia.

Hachach-Haram highlighted the use of AI in a medical setting. “The hospital utilises AI to triage caseloads and employs the latest imaging technologies to aid in remote scan interpretations.”

This evidence demonstrates tangible benefits, with Proximie instrumental in supporting cardiology surgeries at regional hospitals, thereby minimizing the need for patient referrals and travel, Hachach-Haram said.

She shared a poignant illustration of this impact in the case of Noura Saleh, 70, from Tabuk, who required urgent surgery following stroke-induced heart failure. The operation was successfully executed at a local hospital, with the SEHA Virtual Hospital’s cardiology team providing remote guidance through Proximie.