Health-Care Background in Saudi Arabia - Dissertation Example

The motivation for this study has arisen to evaluate how the situation could be improved in the sector. It was felt that since the armed forces hospital is independent of the Ministry of Health in Saudi Arabia, perhaps if they follow a strategy of growth based on performance in other countries, it could be emulated by other institutions in the sector. The situation in the government sector is grim as the primary health centres, being free, curative, and preventive, tend to become overloaded (WHO, 2006). 

Research and quality care have been recognized as crucial for the development of the system in Saudi Arabia but no research strategy initiated by MOH currently exists (WHO, 2006). The MOH is investing in information and technology (ICT) in the health sector but no consensus on a comprehensive strategy for the entire public sector has yet been reached. Previous efforts in establishing an efficient national health information system (NHIS) by the MOH have not been successful as found in a study by WHO (2006). Data management is lacking even though the MOH is planning health telematics, which can be particularly important in linking hospitals and rural primary health care facilities. Under the circumstances, the armed forces hospital, being independent of the MOH, is better positioned to bring about radical changes in the sector.

This is because the MOH had allocated a budget of SR 4 billion to develop e-health services in the public sector to run a four-year development program. Moreover, several conferences on e-health have also been held by the Saudi Association for Health Information emphasizing the importance of delivering e-health in enhancing the quality of health care delivery. However, no progress or development has taken place find Almalki, Fitzgerald and Clark (2011).

There are claims that population growth and diseases in the Arab World pose challenges in implementing technology. Healthcare organizations are also facing challenges in acquiring the benefits of the different medical systems because of interoperability barriers (Alkraiji, Jackson & Murray, 2013). The Saudi Arabian healthcare sector has no consensus on standards. When standards are overlapping or conflicting, it can result in market confusion, suggest Alkraiji et al. The interests and users of vendors of medical IT systems then become the basis of adoption of IT standards. To gain deeper insight into the technologies prevalent in the global marketplace, this study is being undertaken.