What is the Saudi Health Council?
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.
What are the strategic objectives of the Saudi Health Council?
The Council aims to enhance the quality and efficiency of health services in the Kingdom through the following strategic objectives:
Policy evaluation and support for health plans
- Develop health systems to achieve integration and comprehensiveness.
- Workforce planning with optimal resource utilization.
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.
Enable digital transformation
- Enable digital health services and strengthen infrastructure.
- Ensure health information security.
Excellence in coordination and integration
- Monitor the implementation of Council decisions.
- Promote institutional excellence and agility.
Develop the regulatory environment
- Empower and develop human capabilities.
- Plan and develop financial processes.
What are the responsibilities of the Saudi Health Council?
The Council has several responsibilities, including:
Preparing the national healthcare strategy.
Establishing coordination and integration policies among all entities providing healthcare services.
Evaluating and regularly reviewing health policies and plans.
Setting appropriate hospital operation regulations, ensuring management based on economic principles and quality performance standards.
Studying and evaluating the level of health services, determining sector needs, and making recommendations on service distribution across regions.
Coordinating between government health entities regarding hospitals and specialized health projects.
Reviewing and suggesting updates to health service regulations.
Who are the members of the Saudi Health Council?
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
What centers are affiliated with the Saudi Health Council?
The Council oversees ten specialized national and Saudi centers:
Saudi Center for Organ Transplantation
Saudi Central Board for Accreditation of Healthcare Institutions
Saudi Patient Safety Center
National Center for Comprehensive Developmental Disorders
Center for Health Research and Studies
National Health Information Center
National Diabetes Center
National Cancer Center
National Heart Center
National Center for Evidence-Based Medicine
What national committees are associated with the Saudi Health Council?
Fourteen national committees are linked to the Council:
National Committee for Emergency Medicine Development
National Committee for High-Cost Drugs
National Committee for Home Healthcare
National Health Committee for Handling Violence and Abuse Cases
National Committee for Mental Health and Addiction Treatment
National Committee for Stem Cells
National Committee for Medical Rehabilitation
National Committee for Genetic Diseases
National Committee for Health Ethics
National Committee for Blood Banks
Committee for Monitoring Health Sector Compliance with Human Milk Substitute Regulations
Dual Practice Committee
National Committee for Dental Medicine
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.
What are the major strategic initiatives of the Saudi Health Council?
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
What are the latest Health Sector Transformation Program initiatives led by the Council?
Establishing foundations for registering individuals with primary healthcare teams
Developing primary healthcare services
Empowering and supporting the National Health Information Center
What completed transformation initiatives were led by the Council in recent years?
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
Who are the Council’s services intended for?
The Council provides services to a wide range of stakeholders within Saudi Arabia’s health system to improve its quality and efficiency.
Can researchers or specialists collaborate with the Council?
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.
How can you contact the Saudi Health Council?
Website: https://www.shc.gov.sa
Email: info@shc.gov.sa
Social media accounts
Phone: +966114579300
Where is the Council’s headquarters located?
The main office is located in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – Al-Sahafa District, Olaya Road.
Does the Council publish reports or documents?
Yes. The Council regularly publishes annual reports, guidelines, and health-related studies, all of which are available on its website:
https://www.shc.gov.sa
