CHALLENGES OF PRIMARY HEALTHCARE IN SAUDI ARABIA: A NARRATIVE REVIEW
Main Article Content
Keywords
Challenges, primary healthcare, Saudi Arabia
Abstract
Saudi Arabia seeking to improve the healthcare system through significant investments and provide supportive healthcare infrastructure. Primary healthcare is the cornerstone of universal health coverage. Identifying challenges that are facing the primary healthcare is crucial for quality improvement. This narrative review aimed to underline the challenges of primary healthcare in Saudia Arabia as a step for improving the quality of the healthcare system. Methods: A review of the previous studies and reports was conducted to conclude the existing situation of primary healthcare in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Results: The reported challenges of primary healthcare in Saudi Arabia were mainly classified into resources allocation and end administrative process factors. Resources allocation factors contributed to maldistribution of the resources across different geographical areas in the kingdom, shortage of the health workforce, and lack of information system, The administrative processes factors included lack of specialized clinics, communication, and cultural barriers. All these challenges lead to lack of satisfaction among healthcare consumers with the provided care. Conclusion: The existing challenge in primary healthcare threatens the quality of healthcare in the Kingdom. Primary healthcare requires supportive infrastructure such as electronic referral systems to facilitate integration with other healthcare sectors. Alongside providing continuing development programs for the healthcare providers on patients- centered care will foster the achieving the Kingdom vision 2030 for healthcare system.
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Rayan Salem Albalawi
King Salman Medical City, Madinah, KSA
Mohammed Hamed A Alotaibi
King Abdul Aziz Specialist Hospital, Taif, KSA
Fayez Muawwadh Albalawi
Maternity And Children Hospital, Tabuk, KSA
Salem Safar Al Saedi
King Salman Medical City, Madinah, KSA
Abdulkraim Ibrahim Alhawiti
Maternity And Children Hospital, Tabuk, KSA
Sultan Samah Alblawi
King Salman Medical City, Madinah, KSA
Ahmed Nasser Mobarak
Academic Affairs& Training Administration-jazan
Majed Saleh Alhafithi
Alyis General Hospital City, Alyis, KSA
Saad Hamoud Alotaibi
Alyamanyah PHC, MAKKAH, KSA
Ali Faya Ali Al Sultan
Khamis Mushit General Hospital, KSA