Digital innovation is significantly transforming the healthcare sector, with emerging technologies enhancing efficiency and improving patient care. The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries have witnessed the positive impact of digitalization and public-private collaborations on funding and success in healthcare initiatives. The rapid transformation of the Middle East’s healthcare sector has the potential to significantly improve health outcomes and serve as a model for other regions.
The Middle East’s healthcare sector is experiencing robust growth, driven by increasing interest in preventative care strategies and a willingness to adopt emerging technologies. Healthcare expenditure in the GCC is projected to reach $135.5 billion by 2027.
From artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics to genomic medicine and digital healthcare infrastructure, the rollout of new technologies is fueling innovation, offering greater efficiency, and enhancing patient care.
How Digital Transformation is Shaping Healthcare
Investment in the digitalization of health systems can greatly improve performance and health outcomes, according to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). In the GCC, digitalization and public-private collaborations have already made a significant impact on health spending. For instance, Saudi Arabia allocated over $50 billion in 2023 for various initiatives, including digital health services aimed at improving efficiency, accessibility, and transparency in healthcare.
Focusing on health technology not only benefits patients but can also yield economic gains. McKinsey’s analysis suggests that widespread adoption of digital healthcare solutions could unlock between $15 billion and $27 billion in economic benefits for Saudi Arabia’s health system by 2030.
In 2022, Saudi Arabia partnered with health data platform provider Orion Health to create the world’s largest health information exchange, integrating data from 5,000 government and private health institutions and covering 32 million people. Such initiatives can save lives by enabling better management of health information, facilitating more effective and timely prevention and intervention strategies.
Similarly, the UAE is exploring digital twin projects in healthcare, creating virtual models of physical objects. In medicine, digital twins present opportunities across precision medicine, cancer care, and personalized training. By simulating a patient’s exact physiology, doctors can make better-informed decisions that improve patient outcomes and minimize risks.
GCC countries are increasingly investing in genomic medicine, which identifies hereditary conditions and predicts high-risk individuals for specific diseases, such as cancer. For example, Bahrain has boosted its investment in genomic medicine, increasing its gene sequencing capacity to 20,000 whole genomes per year—2.5 times its previous capacity. Genomic projects have also launched in the UAE and as part of Saudi Arabia’s human genome program.
Emerging Applications of AI in Healthcare
The combination of increased digitalization, public-private partnerships, and a burgeoning medical tourism industry is further boosting the healthcare sector. Technology adoption is key to this growth. PwC forecasts that AI could contribute $320 billion to Middle East economies by 2030, with healthcare likely to realize some of the largest gains.
Artificial intelligence is already playing an expanding role in healthcare throughout the region. Saudi Arabia’s National AI Strategy 2031 is introducing AI tools and technologies across various sectors, including healthcare, benefiting local providers. Altib, the Middle East’s largest AI-based digital health platform, raised $44 million in 2022 to develop fully integrated primary care, supporting the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.
Generative AI, in particular, holds wide-ranging applications for improving patient experiences. In 2023, the UAE—having appointed the world’s first AI minister—partnered with US software company Care AI to enhance patient care outcomes by leveraging generative AI and providing access to a smart virtual nursing platform covering emergency departments, operating rooms, intensive care units, and neonatal units.
In Kuwait’s Jaber Hospital, AI is used in surgeries, endoscopic procedures, cardiac monitoring, and robotic enhancements. In 2023, surgeons began utilizing 3D devices to create detailed visualizations of patients’ internal organs for use during procedures, marking the first instance of the Olympus device being used in the Gulf region. The country also performed its first endoscopic operation using AI to identify colon and stomach tumors invisible to the naked eye.
In Bahrain, the newly opened King Hamad American Mission Hospital emphasizes cutting-edge technologies in digital medicine and AI, reflecting the country’s broader digital advancements across various sectors.
Growing Role for Robots in Healthcare
The deployment of robots in healthcare applications presents opportunities for improved precision, reduced transmission of diseases, and enhanced workplace safety and efficiency. Robots are being tested for elderly care and to alleviate patient anxiety. Collaborations between universities in the Middle East and Europe are also exploring robotics in healthcare settings. The number of registered robotics companies in Saudi Arabia reached 2,344 in Q2 2023, up from 1,537 the previous year, according to the Saudi Ministry of Commerce.
Bahrain has integrated robots into patient treatment, becoming the first GCC country to deploy robots in healthcare settings during the COVID-19 pandemic to minimize exposure. Health authorities utilized robots for disinfection, transporting medications, and handling heavy medical equipment in hospitals. Equipped with thermal cameras, robots could register body temperatures and use facial recognition for tailored care, significantly reducing the risk of COVID-19 transmission to medical personnel.
The country plans to employ robots for nursing care in health centers, further mitigating disease transmission and protecting sanitation workers from chemical exposure while improving efficiency in routine tasks.
Telemedicine for Advanced Patient Care
Telemedicine not only broadens access to healthcare in rural areas but also enables patients to access global expertise. In Oman, leaders propose an expanding role for telemedicine to tackle rare diseases by establishing an electronic platform across GCC countries for monitoring these conditions and fostering collaboration.
As telemedicine facilitates cross-border healthcare services, prioritizing collaborative efforts among nations is crucial. Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 provides a strong foundation for public-private partnerships and regional collaboration. For example, Bahrain is discussing an agreement to connect to Saudi Arabia’s Seha Virtual Hospital, part of the Kingdom’s digitalization efforts, which currently includes a growing network of over 170 hospitals offering specialized medical services remotely.
Bahrain has expanded access to telemedicine and remote consultations through integrated mobile apps, BeAware and Sehati. Capitalizing on the country’s robust ICT infrastructure, the government has directed efforts to support the integration of citizens’ digital records, enhancing user experiences and incorporating AI.
This supportive ecosystem for healthcare companies fosters entrepreneurship throughout the region. In Bahrain, doctors Dr. Mai Mattar and Dr. Nawal Al Hamar are developing a teleradiology services platform for remote radiological analysis and diagnosis. Meanwhile, UAE-based Altibbi, the largest digital health platform in the region, has conducted over five million telehealth consultations and recently launched its Weqaya men’s health subscription plan to promote preventative and primary healthcare.
Conclusion
As technological advances and digital infrastructure continue to reshape the Middle East’s healthcare sector, the integration of technology and digital services will remain essential for improving patient care. The rapid transformation within the region’s healthcare system not only aims to enhance the health outcomes of its citizens but also serves as a model of innovation and efficiency for other countries.
