LAUSR

ABSTRACT With an anticipated population increase of 33% over the next three decades, the Saudi Arabian healthcare sector needs to cater to an every growing population and demand of healthcare services. The demand for healthcare is high as compared to the supply of healthcare services, a scenario recognized by the Saudi Arabian government, which has lately encouraged the private sector to match the shortfall and benefit from this potentially lucrative sector. This exploratory research thus assesses the development of healthcare services in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia over the past nine decades and key elements impacting the Saudi Arabian healthcare sector and its future. The research indicates that automation would be a reality, training, and development of healthcare professional would gain a centre stage, and primary healthcare centres would be further developed. The research concludes that both public and private sector should address the issue of shortage of beds at the earliest, by utilizing the funding to develop new hospitals and also, by improving and growing the existing facilities. Furthermore, the government should restructure the funding of the healthcare sector so that it becomes self-reliant and less dependent on the government budget.