Future of healthcare: Replacing brick-and-mortar with digital solutions
Healthcare is undergoing a seismic transformation. The old paradigm of brick-and-mortar hospitals is giving way to a new reality powered by digital technology. As the world faces mounting healthcare inequalities, aging populations often living for many years with multiple long-term conditions, and the lingering effects of global health crises, the need for accessible, scalable, and patient-centered solutions designed in collaboration with users has never been more urgent.
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The digital health revolution has accelerated post-pandemic, fueled by emerging technologies like telemedicine, AI-driven diagnostics, and increasing demand from users who live tech-enabled lifestyles. At the World Economic Forum, Saudi Arabia showcased how economic investment and global collaboration are driving this transformation, with platforms like the Seha Virtual Hospital setting new standards.
At the heart of this digital transformation is the growing role of virtual healthcare in our everyday lives – a model that not only expands access but redefines how care is delivered. As an indicator of success, global telemedicine revenues are expected to exceed $35.8 billion by 2028, illustrating the demand for integrative digital healthcare solutions. Telemedicine is just one aspect of this new healthcare system, and with the inclusion of AI and other cutting-edge diagnostic and treatment technologies, digital health is set to replace the old way.
Guided by its Vision 2030 roadmap for national development that places innovation at its core, Saudi Arabia has embraced this shift. In 2023, the Ministry of Health launched Seha Virtual Hospital, the world's largest virtual care hub, and the Sehhaty app, a digital health platform connecting millions and enabling scheduling, personalized health tracking, and telemedicine. The Seha Virtual Hospital now supports over 200 hospitals, 30 specialized health services, 81 sub-specialized services, and has the capacity to serve more than 480,000 patients annually. These innovations are not just improving lives within the Kingdom but offer a global blueprint for tackling healthcare challenges.
The shift to digital and virtual healthcare solutions represents significant advancements on their own. However, by integrating artificial intelligence (AI), further benefits can be realized for how we deliver care. For example, AI-powered diagnostic tools, including brain CT scan algorithms for stroke detection, are deployed across 70 hospitals. These tools have processed over 76,000 cases, significantly improving diagnostic precision, reducing time to treatment, increasing its effectiveness, and subsequently the long-term health outcomes for patients.
Another example is the Saudi Genome project 2.0, which integrates AI to provide personalized care, identify genetic predispositions, and develop targeted interventions. There are countless more applications for AI, but it is already clear to see that we are benefiting from the preventative and timely diagnostics and treatment it has enabled.
These solutions are not only effective but scalable. They illustrate how countries can use digital health to address pressing challenges, such as a shortage of healthcare professionals, uneven distribution of facilities, and rising costs. With a projected 15 percent annual increase in users, the Sehhaty app alone underscores the growing demand for tech-driven solutions.
One of the most significant benefits of virtual healthcare is its ability to reduce inequalities. Remote consultations eliminate travel barriers, ensuring underserved populations receive care. These efforts, combined with collaborations with institutions like Philips and SDAIA to bring cutting-edge technologies to market, illustrate how partnerships can advance healthcare equality, and with the potential to do so globally.
As demand for virtual healthcare increases, so does the importance of robust infrastructure. Internet access is a critical enabler of healthcare equity in a digital world. Globally, 96 percent of the population has data coverage, and in Saudi Arabia, household internet access extends to 99 percent of the population. Ensuring that both health and infrastructure policies are working together to provide the best outcomes for a nation are essential to the future of digital healthcare. Health in All Policies (HiAP), a holistic approach to policymaking in Saudi Arabia, ensures that all aspects of our society prioritize our citizens' health. By ensuring reliable infrastructure through internet access for rural communities, alongside developing virtual health services, Saudi Arabia is bridging the gap in healthcare access and providing equality across its population.
Investing in virtual healthcare not only improves patient outcomes, but it also powers economic growth. In 2021, Saudi Arabia allocated $3.9 billion to research and development, with plans to dedicate 2.5 percent of GDP annually to R&D by 2040. The National Biotechnology Strategy that launched in 2024 to localize cutting-edge biotech and reduce drug costs, is projected to contribute $34.6 billion to the non-oil GDP and create 55,000 jobs. Platforms like Nafee, which provides a complete view of a patient's medical profile, and remote monitoring through the Seha Virtual Hospital are brining economic benefits by improving treatment efficacy, reducing hospital readmissions, and cutting costs. By leveraging digital platforms and investing in the broader healthcare ecosystem, Saudi Arabia is enhancing healthcare access while demonstrating the economic impact of digital health – boosting efficiency, reducing costs, and supporting long-term growth.
Saudi Arabia's transformation demonstrates how digital healthcare can benefit not just patients but society at large. Through faster diagnostics, enhancing access to underserved communities, and collaboration with the private sector, the Kingdom is setting a precedent for sustainable healthcare reform. This model is the future and has the potential for other nations to replicate and scale, tailored to their unique challenges.
The future of healthcare is already here. Saudi Arabia's ongoing work demonstrates that replacing brick-and-mortar with digital solutions is not just a possibility, but a reality and a necessity. By working together to drive forward digital solutions, we can create a world where healthcare is accessible, personalized, and sustainable. Together we can transform lives.
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