Healthcare Workforce in Saudi Arabia under Saudi Vision 2030

Abstract

Background: Saudization achieved limited success in private Saudi firms; nevertheless, it can achieve great success in the healthcare sector if there is sustainable graduation and training of Saudi healthcare-providers. Objectives: This study analyzed the structure of the healthcare workforce of some healthcare institutions in Najran city to know the rate of Saudization in the healthcare sector, the healthcare-workers qualification, healthcare-workers mean age, healthcare-workers years of expertise and the rate of hiring of Saudi female healthcare-givers. Methods: Cross sectional data of healthcare-workers from some health institutions in Najran city were collected by a simple questionnaire composed of personal data (such as age, gender, nationality, religion, qualification, major specialization and expertise in years). The questionnaire was distributed to 700 health working staff and the response rate was 73.6% (515 correctly filled questionnaire). Results: This study revealed that the number of Saudi healthcare-givers in the surveyed sample was only 88 (17%); staff with PhD was only 20 (4%); the mean staff's age was 35.89 ± 10.17; females were 348 (68%); of which, the Saudi females were only 38 (10.9%). Conclusion: The rate of hiring Saudi healthcare-givers is very low and expatriates with basic healthcare qualification dominate the surveyed sample. In line with the Saudi vision 2030, the study suggests endorsement of hiring polices to ensure hiring of more Saudi healthcare-givers, empower Saudi females in healthcare-sector and hire only highly skilled foreign healthcare-providers with rare specialties and certified practical experience.