The Saudi capital, Riyadh, is preparing to host the “Saudi Healthcare Model Forum 2026,” the Kingdom’s premier healthcare event, which will be held on February 10th and 11th under the theme “Making an Impact.” The forum is held under the patronage of His Excellency the Minister of Health, Mr. Fahd bin Abdulrahman Al-Jalajel, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Health Holding Company, and will bring together leading minds and experts in the healthcare field.

Historical background: A key pillar of Saudi Vision 2030

This forum is being organized within the context of the comprehensive national transformation underway in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as part of Vision 2030. The "Health Sector Transformation Program" is one of the Vision's most important programs, aiming to restructure the sector into a comprehensive, efficient, and integrated healthcare system. This transformation relies on shifting from a treatment-based model of care to one that focuses on prevention and promotes public health, prioritizing the health of individuals and the community. The establishment of the Health Holding Company and the 20 health clusters across the Kingdom represent the practical application of this transformation, with the goal of increasing operational efficiency and facilitating access to high-quality healthcare services.

The importance of the forum and its expected impact

The forum holds strategic importance as a vital platform for discussing the present and future of the Saudi healthcare model. Locally, it aims to unify the visions of over 3,000 national healthcare professionals from various health clusters and the public and private sectors, ensuring the consistent and effective implementation of the model across the Kingdom. Regionally, the forum reinforces Saudi Arabia's position as a leader in healthcare development in the region and opens avenues for exchanging expertise with neighboring countries striving to develop their healthcare systems. Internationally, the presence of over 25 international speakers and 85 global participating entities reflects the world's interest in the Saudi healthcare transformation, making it a platform for sharing global best practices and developing sustainable solutions to shared health challenges.

Key themes and enriching scientific sessions

The forum, organized by Health Holding Company, will feature more than 25 panel discussions and scientific sessions, focusing on four main themes: health governance and policies, innovation and artificial intelligence, financing and sustainability, and population health and accessibility. These sessions aim to translate strategic visions into measurable health impact and highlight the role of the model in enhancing individual quality of life.

The agenda for the first day includes vital topics such as “Designing Systems That Contribute to Saving Lives and Enhancing Quality of Life”, “Practical Financing and Incentives for Care Models”, “Digital Transformation in Healthcare”, and “Digital Innovations and Integration with Artificial Intelligence”.

The second day focuses on discussing health learning systems and their role in managing population health risks, the challenges of building an integrated digital system, the role of artificial intelligence in supporting the workforce, as well as strategies to accelerate the implementation of the healthcare model and effectively manage chronic diseases.

It is worth mentioning that this forum represents a unique opportunity for leaders, decision-makers, investors and health experts to exchange knowledge and build quality partnerships, in order to serve the objectives of the health sector transformation program and the ambitious Saudi Vision 2030.

The General Presidency for Religious Affairs at the Grand Mosque in Mecca and the Prophet's Mosque in Medina announced its comprehensive operational plan for the holy month of Ramadan 1447 AH, a proactive step aimed at creating a spiritually enriching atmosphere to welcome millions of pilgrims and visitors from around the world. This plan embodies the global religious mission of the Two Holy Mosques and represents a concerted effort to enhance the spiritual experience of visitors and disseminate the tolerant message of Islam, based on moderation and balance.

Historical context and the importance of preparing for Ramadan

The month of Ramadan holds a special place for Muslims, as the number of pilgrims visiting the Grand Mosque in Mecca and the Prophet's Mosque in Medina increases dramatically during this time to perform Umrah, visit the holy sites, and pray. For decades, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has consistently dedicated all its material and human resources to serving the pilgrims and continuously developing its services. The annual operational plans are the culmination of extensive experience in crowd management and the provision of religious, guidance, and humanitarian services, reflecting the paramount importance the Saudi leadership places on the care of the Two Holy Mosques and their visitors.

Strategic goals and integrated vision

His Excellency the President of Religious Affairs at the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque, Sheikh Professor Dr. Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz Al-Sudais, explained that the plan was meticulously prepared to meet the religious, guidance, and educational needs of visitors, taking into account their diverse cultures and languages. The plan is based on seven key strategic objectives, including enhancing and enriching the visitor experience, disseminating and teaching the Holy Quran and the Prophet's Sunnah, and solidifying the Kingdom's position as a leader in the Islamic world in serving the Two Holy Mosques. It also aims to achieve leadership in translation and language services, develop human resources, and leverage the latest technologies and digital transformation to strengthen communication with Muslims worldwide.

Operational pathways and quality initiatives

To achieve these goals, seven strategic programs will be activated, operating across ten integrated operational tracks. These tracks encompass scientific and outreach aspects, fieldwork, media coverage, translation, and a dedicated track for the Women's Affairs Department to serve female visitors. Tracks have also been allocated for digital transformation and artificial intelligence, as well as enrichment and volunteer programs. The plan includes launching 100 high-quality operational initiatives, most notably innovative projects such as the "Hidayah Hackathon," the "Hidayah Center," and the "Ijlal Exhibition," in addition to launching digital platforms and smart applications to facilitate access to services for beneficiaries. A key feature of the plan is the expansion of simultaneous translation services for sermons and lessons to include more than 40 international languages.

Expected impact and contemporary media message

This plan is expected to have a wide-ranging positive impact. Domestically, it will ensure a safe and convenient environment for millions of pilgrims. Internationally, it will enhance the Kingdom's civilized image and its efforts in serving Islam and Muslims. In this context, Dr. Salem bin Ali Arijah, Supervisor of Media and Communication, emphasized that the media strategy will focus on transforming initiatives into inspiring human stories and highlighting religious services in a contemporary media style that reaches the world with credibility and professionalism, in close cooperation with local and international media outlets. The plan will be implemented by a fully integrated team of more than 850 qualified personnel to ensure the highest levels of service are provided to the pilgrims during the holy month.

Mohammed Al-Khudair, CEO of the National Company for Education and Training (NCLE), confirmed that enrollment in private education in Saudi Arabia currently stands at 17%, expressing his optimism that this percentage will grow in the coming years. This statement was made to Akhbar24 on the sidelines of the Future of Education and Training Conference, where he noted that one million students are currently enrolled in the private sector, compared to five million in public education.

Historical context and the role of Vision 2030

This anticipated growth reflects a strategic shift in the Saudi education sector, a cornerstone of the Kingdom's Vision 2030. Historically, public education has played the most prominent role in shaping future generations, but with economic and social developments, the need to diversify educational options has become increasingly apparent. The National Education and Training Company, established in 1958 as a small girls' school two years before the General Presidency for Girls' Education, serves as a prime example of the private sector's long-standing tradition and capacity for growth. It has transformed from a single school into a publicly traded company that now serves over 35,000 students across 17 educational complexes.

The importance of the private sector in achieving sustainable development

Vision 2030 places paramount importance on developing human capital, and this is where private education plays a crucial role as a strategic partner to the government. The sector helps alleviate the burden on public schools and provides diverse learning environments that cater to the aspirations of different segments of society, including international curricula and programs that focus on modern skills such as critical thinking and innovation. Al-Khudair noted that “younger generations of parents are prioritizing their children’s education more than previous generations,” reflecting a growing awareness of the importance of investing in the future.

Expected local and regional impact

At the local level, the growth of private education fosters a healthy competitive environment that encourages higher quality educational outcomes in both the public and private sectors. It also contributes to attracting investment and creating new job opportunities. Regionally, a strong and developed private education sector enhances the Kingdom's position as an attractive destination for foreign talent and investors seeking high-quality education for their children, thus supporting Saudi Arabia's transformation into a leading regional hub across various fields. While Al-Khudair acknowledged that investing in education is "one of the most challenging investments" due to the need to balance quality and profitability, he emphasized that many companies have successfully achieved this difficult balance thanks to the strong support the leadership provides to the education sector.