The seventh edition of the Global Health Exhibition kicked off on October 21, 2024, under the theme "Invest in Health" at the Riyadh Exhibition and Convention Centre in Malham, north of Riyadh. Organized by the Ministry of Health in partnership with the Health Sector Transformation Program, the event is managed by Tahaluf, a joint venture between Informa PLC, the Saudi Arabian Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming, and Drones (SAFCSP), and the Event Investment Fund (EIF). The exhibition runs from October 21 to 23 and aims to highlight Saudi Arabia's health sector transformation and investment opportunities.
At the opening ceremony, Minister of Health Fahad Al-Jalajel delivered a keynote speech emphasizing the Kingdom's vision of becoming a global hub for tackling major healthcare challenges through the principles of health in all policies, aligned with Vision 2030. He underscored the importance of fostering innovation and investment, building a robust health system that integrates digital solutions and artificial intelligence, and developing local talent while attracting global expertise. Al-Jalajel remarked that Saudi Arabia is taking practical steps toward these goals, advancing its health transformation efforts through concrete actions.
He highlighted some of the Kingdom’s recent achievements, including recognition from the World Health Organization (WHO) for its trans fat-free food products, placing Saudi Arabia at the forefront of global health standards. Additionally, the WHO acknowledged Saudi Arabia, through the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA), as the first country in the region to achieve the fourth maturity level in regulating medicines and vaccines, the highest classification in the organization's framework.
Al-Jalajel also spoke about the expansion of Saudi Board Programs to 170 health-related specialties, now adopted by 3,000 international practitioners. He emphasized the growing investment opportunities in the health sector, noting that Saudi Arabia boasts the largest regional investments in healthcare. He cited the successful Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) of Fakeeh Care Group and Dr. Sulaiman Al-Habib Medical Group (HMG), both of which have made the health sector the fastest-growing in the Saudi market.
The minister also touched on the growth of the private health insurance sector, which has expanded significantly from 3 million insured individuals in 2011 to over 12 million by the end of 2023, with a market size of SAR 40 billion. This figure is expected to double by 2030, reflecting the sector's rapid expansion.
Al-Jalajel further announced the launch of the second generation of Taakkad Centers and the integration of a digital twin system into the Sehhaty application. He proudly noted that the Seha Virtual Hospital had been recognized by the Guinness Book of Records as the largest virtual health hospital in the world. He also highlighted the Kingdom's efforts to attract global medical talents, offering them premium residency opportunities.
During the exhibition, projects valued at over SAR 50 billion were unveiled. These include a SAR 4 billion pharmaceutical manufacturing agreement between NUPCO, Novo Nordisk, and Sanofi, as well as major expansions worth SAR 5 billion by Fakeeh Care Group. Almoosa Health Group announced plans to establish five primary care centers and two hospitals, valued at SAR 3 billion, while Dallah Health revealed its acquisition of Al-Salam and Al-Ahsa hospitals, adding 749 beds to its capacity in the Eastern Province. Additionally, Dallah Hospital in Riyadh, with a 250-bed capacity and the potential for future expansion, was announced as a SAR 4 billion project.
On the sidelines of the exhibition, several key agreements and partnerships were signed, including a collaboration between the Council of Health Insurance and Alfaisal University, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University and the National Institute for Health and Care Research, and another MoU between the Ministry of Health’s Agency of Engineering Affairs and Supply and the National Center for Vegetation Development and Combating Desertification. Other partnerships included agreements between the National Health Center for Command and Control and the Ministerial Committee of Traffic Safety, Lean Business Services and Elm, and the Public Health Authority (Weqaya) and King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre.
