ASSESSING HEALTH-CARE-DELIVERY IN SAUDI-ARABIA

This paper deals with the some of the important variable factors relating to health care in Saudi Arabia, with special emphasis on primary health. Other aspects considered are the financial influences in medical care, the availability of female Saudi and of expatriate physicians, and the special needs imposed by the annual pilgrimage, all of which influence health care delivery in Saudi Arabia. The bias and limitations which arise from the unqualified application of the physician-population ratio in determining the quality of health care in Saudi Arabia are also described. Recommendations are made for improving this overall ratio as well as better meeting the specific medical needs of the people through expansion of primary health care services.