Philips FHI 2024: Saudi Arabia Leads in AI and Sustainability

Royal Philips, a global health technology company, has released the findings of its Future Health Index (FHI) 2024 Saudi Arabia report. The ninth edition of the report, which surveyed nearly 3,000 healthcare leaders across 14 countries, reveals that Saudi Arabian healthcare leaders are pioneering the adoption of AI-driven innovations to improve patient care.

The FHI 2024 report highlights Saudi Arabia’s healthcare sector as a leader in AI adoption, with significant advancements in virtual care, automation, and a shared commitment to environmental sustainability. The report demonstrates the country’s progress in utilizing technology to address workforce challenges, enhance patient care, and build a more sustainable healthcare system.

In Saudi Arabia, 92% of healthcare leaders agree that technology to automate repetitive tasks is crucial for tackling staff shortages. The automation of health records, administrative tasks, and clinical workflows has already increased productivity and job satisfaction among healthcare workers. The use of virtual care has also proven to reduce staffing pressures, with 100% of healthcare leaders acknowledging its positive impact, and 90% of patients expressing support for virtual care.

Saudi healthcare leaders have reported significant benefits from integrating virtual care, such as improving complex patient management, boosting patient appointment attendance, offering remote working options for healthcare professionals, and expanding the capacity to serve more patients. These developments align with Saudi Arabia’s broader healthcare transformation efforts aimed at ensuring timely, high-quality care for all citizens.

While automation and virtual care are making significant strides, data integration challenges remain a concern for Saudi healthcare leaders. However, they see data-driven insights as a vital tool for reducing diagnostic waiting times, optimizing treatment plans, predicting adverse events, and improving overall patient care. The healthcare sector in Saudi Arabia is increasingly turning to AI for its ability to unlock efficiencies and insights from patient data, with 41% of healthcare leaders investing in generative AI—higher than the global average of 29%.

AI is already being implemented in various clinical areas, including treatment planning and patient monitoring, with plans to expand its use in medication management and remote patient monitoring in the next few years. This growing adoption of AI reflects Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 to become a global technology leader, empowering the nation’s people and driving innovation in healthcare.

In addition to technological advancements, Saudi healthcare leaders are focusing on sustainability. Over half (54%) of healthcare organizations in Saudi Arabia are recycling waste, and 53% are implementing sustainable procurement practices, such as using circular equipment. Looking ahead, many healthcare leaders are planning to reduce energy use (49%), invest in green buildings (48%), and use virtual care technologies to reduce emissions (45%) in the coming years.

Philips remains committed to partnering with healthcare providers to support their sustainable healthcare journey. Akram Sirafy, General Manager of Philips Saudi Arabia, emphasizes the company’s vision for a future where everyone has access to the care they need, supported by collaborations that bring stakeholders together to develop scalable healthcare solutions.

Saudi Arabia’s healthcare sector is poised to continue its leadership in AI adoption, virtual care, and sustainability, shaping the future of healthcare innovation in the region and beyond.