Dr. Saad Albattal, Chief Medical Officer for Chronic Disease at Health Holding Company.
At the 2025 Global Health Exhibition in Riyadh, the focus was on healthcare innovation and transformation as Saudi Arabia progresses towards achieving its Vision 2030 objectives. Dr. Saad Albattal, the Chief Medical Officer for Chronic Disease at Health Holding Company (HHC), discussed their recent accomplishments and commitment to enhancing a more effective, value-oriented healthcare system.
“During this year’s Global Health Exhibition, now in its eighth edition, we introduced four new initiatives,” Dr. Albattal stated. “The first initiative is the Diabetic Command Centre. The second is the Lifestyle Restriction Programme. The third is the Programme of Excellence in Robotic Surgery. Lastly, we have the Brain Site, which focuses on advanced procedures in neuroscience and brain surgery.”
Each initiative targets a national priority, addressing issues from chronic disease management to specialized medical care and advanced surgical techniques. Collectively, they are part of a larger strategy aimed at enhancing healthcare delivery in Saudi Arabia through innovation, technology, and collaborative efforts.
Partnerships Between Public and Private Sectors
As Saudi Arabia transitions to a reformed healthcare model, public-private partnerships (PPPs) have become essential for improving access, quality, and sustainability. Dr. Albattal emphasized that success relies on engaging the community and emphasizing proactive care.
“The key to success is engaging with the community, addressing their issues on a daily basis, and being proactive in community-wide screenings; managing chronic diseases, as well as cancer screening,” he said. “Early detection of these conditions can extend life expectancy and enhance overall quality of life.”
This patient-centric strategy resonates with HHC’s goal of decentralizing healthcare delivery through regional hubs, which allows localized innovation while adhering to national standards. By merging public oversight with the efficiency of the private sector, HHC aims to incorporate technology and data analytics into every aspect of healthcare.
During this year’s exhibition, Health Holding Company secured 13 agreements worth around SAR 660 million. “These agreements, signed with various partners including Alinma Bank, Microsoft, Roche Arabia, and the American Heart Association, focus on diverse aspects such as training and collaboration with national research centers,” Dr. Albattal noted.
“The objective of these agreements is to enhance healthcare services and advance the use of technology in medical practices,” he added.
Dr. Albattal stressed that the transformation at Health Holding is not merely structural but involves a fundamental change in philosophy—viewing citizens and residents as active participants in their own healthcare management. “Our patients are part of the decision-making process. They are considered beneficiaries, not just patients,” he stated.
This emphasis on preventive care is integral to HHC’s strategy. “Our primary focus is on promoting health rather than merely responding to illnesses,” he explained. “We have a responsibility to educate and empower our beneficiaries, ensuring accessibility through various platforms—both virtual and physical—while providing care based on the highest standards.”
Through digital tools, telehealth services, and hybrid care models, HHC strives to deliver high-quality healthcare across all regions, thereby improving early diagnosis and long-term management of chronic illnesses.
Value-Based Healthcare Central to Vision 2030
Saudi Arabia’s healthcare redesign as part of Vision 2030 emphasizes a transition from volume-based to value-based care, a framework that prioritizes quality over quantity in health outcomes. According to Dr. Albattal, this principle is “fundamental to our health transformations.”
“We are committed to focusing on quality, considering medical choices, patient experiences, and costs associated with these services,” he said. “In the long run, value-based care will save costs, improve the quality of life for our beneficiaries, and lead to positive financial outcomes.”
As the overarching entity for over 20 healthcare clusters, Health Holding Company plays a crucial role in applying this model. Designed to oversee healthcare service delivery independently from regulatory bodies, HHC’s mission is to foster efficiency, accountability, and innovation within the sector.
The Global Health Exhibition, now in its eighth year, has evolved into one of the leading healthcare events in the MENA region, attracting government officials, hospital administrators, tech companies, and investors. This edition particularly highlighted digital health, AI-driven care, and precision medicine—key themes that align with Health Holding’s strategic priorities.
The event also provided a platform for international collaboration, demonstrating that Saudi Arabia’s healthcare reforms are both a national priority and a global opportunity. As the Kingdom works to create a future-ready health infrastructure, the exhibition cemented its position as a key regional hub for innovation and investment in healthcare.