Healthcare in Saudi Arabia

The level of healthcare system in KSA is not more than satisfactory. I usually say that medical is more of a commercial sector here rather than a profession/service.

I initiated a thread called 'Overall Medical Treatments {OverAll Impressions}'. Going through this would be interesting for viewers.

Public sector is somewhat reserved for locals and expats normally have the only option of private sector hospitals.

Health Insurance is a requirement for annual residential permit (Iqama) renewal. Mostly the employers takes care of it. This leaves us with a small proportion of people who have to consider buying a healthcare plan on their own [sometimes just to get the iqama renewed].

Yes, EVERYONE must have healthcare insurance. The treatment otherwise is way too expensive.

Thanks for your post TheLegendLeads !

Hi,

In order to help expats and soon-to-be expats, we would like to invite you to share your experience on this topic, with updated info on the healthcare system.

Thank you in advance,

Julie
Expat.com Team

Hi,

I am a practising physician in public sector, Its mandatory to have a medical insurance to get basic things done here since the public sector is preserved for the  citizens and expats of governmental contracts.

insurance should be covering most large hospitals to assure the proper healthcare, small cheap polyclinics aren't really running on any standards.

public sector hospitals are well equipped but overcrowded usually.

good luck

You need to specify your question more. If you mean the "standard of medical practice" then based on my experience, I would say that, get an insurance and if u become ill, go to a private hospital and chose a consultant with western degrees and training.

As mentioned by every body Public sector is only for the locals and the problem with private sector is,,its too expensive for individuals medical insurance is mandatory to renew the work permit so the private companies have this done for their employees most of these companies buying a cheap insurance plan for the labor which is hardly covered in few polyclinics with a low standard 20% cash contribution is mostly required and that prevent the low salaried people to visit the hospitals unless its an emergency. A large number of expats have to arrange medical insurance by their own so they just purchase a cheapest plan to get CCHI approval for the renewal only and at the time of illness they must pay cash to get treated

I think in certain sectors it needs major improvement while in others they are much better than even some first world countries. They do have qualified doctors in some of the well known public and private hospitals and excellent equipment but a little bit more compassion towards the patient without discrimination can work wonders. As far as government sectors are concerned......they are not for any non-Saudis except if someone has come for umra or Hajj. True and yet not true. Unfortunately, many things work in this country if you have good connections and that includes hospitals and doctors whether public or private. My father had complete VIP treatment throughout his entire two months stay in the public hospital because of connections and my sister had to wait 4 hours to see a doctor in a well known private hospital because she was a walk in patient and didn't have connection. When the hospital director was contacted she was seen within 5 minutes. It is not whether you pay or not or you have insurance or not......it is who you know!
Sometimes I feel the entire hospital is lacking the true essence of medical ethics.

Since this information is for expats and soon to be expats : Medical Treatment / Health care in KSA is only given to expats through medical insurance since it became mandatory for all employers to give this service. So once an expat arrives on a work visa he /she will get medical insurance once the work permit is issued. It does not mean you cannot get cash treatments, you can but this ends up very costly with the quality of service always in question.

Most insurance providers will have a network of pre-approved medical care providers and you can approach them and treatment and payment will be based on the individual policy. Some popular insurance providers are NCCI, Bupa, Medgulf, AXA etc.Private hospitals like Kingdom Hospital, Saudi German Hospital, Sulaiman Al Habib Medical Center, Sulaiman Fakieh, Dossary etc some famous hospitals in the kingdom.

Govt clinics are expected to give preliminary treatment and vaccinations to expats also free of charge, I wouldn't recommend them however for anything other than vaccinations. Hospitals however cater to locals mostly, but some conditions might be accepted on special cases with Govt Hospitals provided the insurance provider also agrees to this.

Hope this helps.

I am having a big problem in finding Health Insurance for a person above 65yrs of age. When ever I ask for Insurance they give me the same answere "We do not Insure any one above 65"  and I get the feeling that they are saying  "Why are alive till now...you are suppose to die by now!!!!"..   I found only one insurance company till now and the price was so high 36000/year.

In my opinion, excellent health care is available in big cities, but is very expensive if one does not have insurance.  In my opinion, since Saudi does have the financial resources to provide health care to everyone living here, there is really no excuse for not providing it to everyone of every age and nationality.

My experience is not great. I have good insurance so that is not the issue. The doctors I have seen so far have been knowledgeable, but what I hate has been the complete disregard for patient time and money. I have had appointments cancelled by text while en route to the appointment ( Saudi American Clinic). I took my wife to Jeddah New Clinic for her iqama medical. They took payment and then told me 90 minutes later there was no doctor to perform it ( a hospital with no doctors is  a new concept for me). It took 30 more minutes to get a refund.

I booked an appointment at Saudi German hospital through their on line system and arrived with printed confirmation. The receptionist told me the system allows booking for times when the doctor isn't there and I would just have to try again. My letter of complaint to the Clinical director was neither acknowledged nor answered. I have never had an apology.

So far the only place that has been acceptable is GNP hospital although that was their emergency unit. I prefer to be sick than have my time wasted like this.

I'm living for more than 36 years in Saudi Arabia, every hospital have one or two good doctors. do not look to the hospital name or what membership they have cuz by the end its business not a service.

My employer pays my medical cover for both inpatient and outpatient. . However
I was  shocked on learning  that I am not covered against motor accidents
the first time you land in saudi is to encounter most dangerous highway drives which reminds you of the risk on daily basis.
Eliud

Hi There,

I have been in Saudi Arabia for six years and have belonged to a private medical aid. I have found the services to be very professional and have no complaints. I have had an eye operation (detached retina), knee (cartilage) and stent inserted into one of my veins.
I think as an expat you have to join a private medical aid as you will have to pay up front if you do not have one.

Those hospitals where the doctors are Arabs and Egyptian it is very

Now, my experience in health care in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, has been excellent.  I've delivered one of my children here, and currently am recovering from a total knee replacement done by an Egyptian surgeon.  His handiwork is superb.

Almost all medical care, both in- and out-patient, is provided in clinics in hospitals,  One's employer provides the insurance and a choice of medical providers.  My husband and I regularly see physicians in three different hospitals.  Almost all gynecology is done by female physicians, which is a great improvement over the Western male OB/GYNS. 

Ask your employers and colleagues to recommend hospitals and specialists.

Hi all,

Would like to seek some advise of a good maternity hospital around Khobar ... Dhahran

as well as comments of MEDGULF Class A, it is sufficient?

Thanks

About gynecologist.I would definitely disagree. I have been here 25 years and delivered three sons.but I have yet to find a decent experienced female doctor. I have had bad experience with them and found other  people  also have problems
The male doctors are far more knowledgeable and experienced

Generally you need to look around for good doctors

I know two excellent female gynecologists in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.  One is Saudi, and a university professor, and the other is Egyptian and works at a well-known hospital clinic.  Email me, and I'll send you their names.  Both speak perfect English.

female gynaecologist in Jeddah would be far, I was inform Saad in Khobar is good. Anyone tried Saad before?

I just got discharged from Dr. Sulaiman AlHabib hospital on Takhasoussi St and it was the absolute worst healthcare experience of my life. The Arabic drs are arrogant ignorant dicksmacks. I was told that they can't give morphine in the emergency department because it is against hospital policy. Then once admitted they have to call the Dr each time and would only approve a less than therapeutic dose every 12 hrs. I couldn't wait to leave and get a plane ticket to any civilized country just to get some relief. The Dr also informed me he couldn't accept my verbal medical history despite very clear evidence on my body that supports my history and that he needed a hospital report from the original Dr who treated me in my home country or else he had to assume I was lying. Gid forbid he actually examined me, which by the way he NEVER did. Didn't once even touch me!!! Avoid this hospital at all costs. Run. Run very fast and very far away.

sad to hear this on you.. hope you are now in proper care..

I'm wondering about dental services in Saudi. Can anyone comment on that? Thanks.

Sunpflower wrote:

I'm wondering about dental services in Saudi. Can anyone comment on that? Thanks.

Most kinds of advanced and cosmetic dental treatments are available in KSA , some of which are covered by insurance policy, while the cosmetic parts are mostly not covered. There are specialized dental centers across the country.

my dear , don't worry about health care
here you will find too much professional hospitals you can visit.
-------
.. welcome in Riyadh 
any help you have many brothers here,
we all an expat and have help each other

Thank for the info. I want to keep my pearls white.