According to recent research, Saudi Arabia would require an extra 175,000 medical professionals by 2030 to address the scarcity of doctors and nurses and meet the healthcare needs of its expanding populace.
In addition to 42,000 allied health professionals—a group of healthcare workers not directly involved in medicine or nursing but who assist with technical problems, diagnostics, rehabilitation, and other areas of care— there is also an urgent need for around 69,000 additional doctors, 64,000 additional nurses, and other healthcare professionals.
With the release of Colliers International’s most recent assessment on the state of healthcare in the Middle East, Mansoor Ahmed, director of PPP, healthcare, and education, predicted even greater demand. As part of the healthcare sector’s Saudization program, the bulk of the 232,000 medical staff members who are now employed abroad must be Saudi citizens, according to him.
The study notes that the need for medical personnel increases dramatically as the area moves quickly to build healthcare infrastructure in an effort to improve access to care. Furthermore, the delivery of health services is being impacted by a number of factors, including the evolving landscape of health systems, the rising burden of chronic illnesses,aging population , rising patient expectations, and the quick advancement of therapeutic innovation and technology.
The human skill set needed to meet the population’s present and future healthcare needs is changing as a result of this. With a population of 36.5 million and ambitious Vision 2030 goals, Saudi Arabia is one of the major healthcare markets in the GCC and the region. These factors, along with the country’s structural changes are causing fundamental changes in the healthcare sector of the Kingdom.
Additional Read: Saudi Arabia Achieves WHO’s Top Regulatory Maturity Level
It is anticipated that by 2023, there will be 45 million people on the planet, and that will mean a need for 26,000–43,000 more beds in order to accommodate the existing healthcare facilities. Demand will rise even further due to the push for auditions in the healthcare sector, where Saudi nationals must occupy the majority of positions.
( auditions or additions?)
Currently, of the approximately 232,000 medical professionals, 60% are physicians (including dentists), 57% are nurses, 19% are allied health workers, and 61% are chemists. Additionally, as the Kingdom adopts new medical technologies, demand is shifting from traditional courses to advanced medical education options. The following will necessitate the construction of additional facilities: genetic sequences, artificial intelligence (AI), data analytics, robotic medical sciences, and short courses to advance the skill set of physicians, registered nurses, and allied health professionals, enabling them to choose specialized roles.
Labor Scarcities throughout the Middle East
Other healthcare inadequacies in the area were examined as well. About 48,000 additional healthcare workers will be needed in Egypt by 2030, a country with one of the lowest ratios of physicians to nurses per thousand people. The number of healthcare workers per person in Egypt is among the lowest in the Middle East, according to Ahmed. Although Egypt produces a lot of medical graduates, the brain drain of highly skilled medical professionals to the GCC and Western nations has left the country with relatively few practicing physicians.
An additional 13,600 (hospital) beds will be needed due to the population growth, which is predicted to reach 115 million by 2030, and the need for new healthcare facilities. “Medical personnel, nurses, chemists, and dentists will be in greater demand. The introduction of Universal Healthcare Insurance (UHI), which is starting the increase of beds per population to expand the accessibility of healthcare services, is spurring the need for healthcare personnel to meet the growing population.
Additional Read: The Future of Nursing in Saudi Arabia: Aligning With Vision 2030
While the rapidly developing Egyptian healthcare sector is making headway, more work has to be done to control the rise in non-communicable diseases and narrow down the bed shortage gap. Aging populations, a lack of available beds, and a rise in diseases among the populace are the main factors driving demand for high-quality healthcare and hospital facilities in general.
By 2030, Ahmed predicted that there would be a shortage of approximately 15,000 nurses and other healthcare workers in Abu Dhabi and 6,000 doctors and 11,000 nurses in Dubai. The speaker expressed concern about the lack of qualified physicians and nurses, especially among local professionals in the UAE, despite a notable rise in the number of healthcare workers in the country. “The majority of the health workforce are nurses and other paramedical staff; the gaps in the workforce affect not only doctors but also them.”
With 2.9 and 6.4 physicians and nurses per 1,000 people, respectively, the UAE’s physician and nurse densities are higher than those of the GCC, although they are still much lower than those of other nations with developed healthcare systems. Additionally, the distribution of physicians and nurses is unbalanced throughout the United Arab Emirates, with Abu Dhabi having the highest physician-to-population ratio.
In conclusion, the demand for healthcare workers in Saudi Arabia is on the rise, and the country is looking to hire more than 175,000 professionals in the coming years. It will take a lot of work to meet this demand, including hiring people from outside and giving them the support and training they need to deliver the best possible care.
We at Dynamic Health Staff are a leading healthcare staffing agency that can help bridge this gap by connecting skilled professionals with job opportunities in Saudi Arabia and providing support throughout the recruitment process. We are in a good position to assist in meeting the rising need for healthcare personnel in Saudi Arabia and elsewhere thanks to our knowledge and resources. If you want to apply today, contact us at +919810017608 or enquiry@dynamichealthstaff.com. We will assist you every step of the way. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay up-to-date with the latest industry trends and news.
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