FAQ

    The Saudi Health Council was established under the name “Council of Health Services” based on Article 16 of the Health System issued by Royal Decree No. (M/11) dated 23/03/1423 AH, chaired by His Excellency the Minister of Health and includes members from various health sectors. In 1435 AH, the Council of Ministers decided to change its name to the “Saudi Health Council” and assigned it additional responsibilities.

    The Saudi Health Council aspires to be a guiding reference for a globally leading Saudi health system by establishing regulations to evaluate and implement health plans and policies that ensure coordination and integration among entities to elevate the quality of health services. It aims to improve the quality and efficiency of healthcare services, facilitate access to them, and promote protection against health risks in line with the health sector transformation goals.

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    The Council aims to enhance the quality and efficiency of health services in the Kingdom through the following strategic objectives:

    1. Policy evaluation and support for health plans
      • Develop health systems to achieve integration and comprehensiveness.
      • Workforce planning with optimal resource utilization.
    2. Enhance effective planning and governance of health systems and services
      • Promote health by combating chronic diseases and their complications.
      • Enhance the economic and social impact of health systems and decisions.
      • Promote innovation in healthcare and support services.
    3. Enable digital transformation
      • Enable digital health services and strengthen infrastructure.
      • Ensure health information security.
    4. Excellence in coordination and integration
      • Monitor the implementation of Council decisions.
      • Promote institutional excellence and agility.
    5. Develop the regulatory environment
      • Empower and develop human capabilities.
      • Plan and develop financial processes.
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    The Council has several responsibilities, including:

    1. Preparing the national healthcare strategy.
    2. Establishing coordination and integration policies among all entities providing healthcare services.
    3. Evaluating and regularly reviewing health policies and plans.
    4. Setting appropriate hospital operation regulations, ensuring management based on economic principles and quality performance standards.
    5. Studying and evaluating the level of health services, determining sector needs, and making recommendations on service distribution across regions.
    6. Coordinating between government health entities regarding hospitals and specialized health projects.
    7. Reviewing and suggesting updates to health service regulations.
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    The Council is chaired by the Minister of Health and includes the following members:

    • General Directorate of Health Services, Ministry of Defense.
    • Health Affairs, Ministry of National Guard.
    • Medical Services, Ministry of Interior.
    • Ministry of Health.
    • Ministry of Education.
    • Ministry of Finance.
    • Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development.
    • Ministry of Economy and Planning.
    • King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center.
    • Saudi Food and Drug Authority.
    • Saudi Red Crescent Authority.
    • Saudi Commission for Health Specialties.
    • Council of Health Insurance.
    • Public Health Authority.
    • Federation of Saudi Chambers
    • Presidency of State Security
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    The Council oversees ten specialized national and Saudi centers:

    1. Saudi Center for Organ Transplantation.
    2. Saudi Central Board for Accreditation of Healthcare Institutions.
    3. Saudi Patient Safety Center.
    4. National Center for Comprehensive Developmental Disorders.
    5. Center for Health Research and Studies.
    6. National Health Information Center.
    7. National Diabetes Center.
    8. National Cancer Center.
    9. National Heart Center.
    10. National Center for Evidence-Based Medicine.
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    Fourteen national committees are linked to the Council:

    1. National Committee for Emergency Medicine Development.
    2. National Committee for High-Cost Drugs.
    3. National Committee for Home Healthcare.
    4. National Health Committee for Handling Violence and Abuse Cases.
    5. National Committee for Mental Health and Addiction Treatment.
    6. National Committee for Stem Cells.
    7. National Committee for Medical Rehabilitation.
    8. National Committee for Genetic Diseases.
    9. National Committee for Health Ethics.
    10. National Committee for Blood Banks.
    11. Committee for Monitoring Health Sector Compliance with Human Milk Substitute Regulations.
    12. Dual Practice Committee.
    13. National Committee for Dental Medicine
    14. Health Sector Saudization Committee.

    These committees study health and scientific topics referred by the General Secretariat and Council, develop national health policies and standards, review relevant regulations, and propose training, awareness, and educational programs and projects for Council approval.

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    • Unified Health File (Nafis).
    • Sick Leaves System.
    • National Health Accounts 2022 & 2023.
    • Saudi Cancer Registry 2021 & 2022.
    • Medical Coding.
    • Digital Library of Health Systems and Regulations.
    • Cancer Survival Rates Report (2005–2019).
    • Saudi Arabia's membership in the International Agency for Research on Cancer, approved by the Council of Ministers.
    • “Nahr Sab” Portal joining DataCite as a DOI-issuing entity for research data.
    • Electronic Statistical System for Diabetes Centers.
    • Heart Valve Disease Policy Brief.
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    • Establishing foundations for registering individuals with primary healthcare teams.
    • Developing primary healthcare services.
    • Empowering and supporting the National Health Information Center.
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    • Implementation of the Healthcare Strategy.
    • Digital eHealth (Horizontal Initiative).
    • National Organ Failure Registry.
    • National Oncology Center Initiatives.
    • Organ Donation Activation in ICU Units of Donor Hospitals.
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    The Council provides services to a wide range of stakeholders within Saudi Arabia’s health system to improve its quality and efficiency.

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    Yes. Through the Center for Health Research and Studies, the Council promotes scientific research to support the development of the health sector and build a sustainable national research system in collaboration with relevant entities.

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    Management

    Data Management Office

    Phone

    011 457 9300

    Email

    info@shc.gov.sa

    Website

    Council website

    Social media accounts

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    The main office is located in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – Al-Sahafa District, Olaya Road.

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    Yes. The Council regularly publishes annual reports, guidelines, and health-related studies, all of which are available on its website: Council website

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For any inquiries or comments about government services, please fill out the required information.

2/10/2026 3:24 PM

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Last modified date: 11/12/2025 - 01:26 PM