Aligned closely with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 objectives, the SFDA has embedded digital transformation at the core of its pharmacovigilance and cosmetic safety systems, reinforcing trust, efficiency, and transparency across healthcare regulation.

One of the most significant milestones in this journey has been the modernization of the National Pharmacovigilance Centre’s adverse reaction reporting framework. The transition from paper-based reporting to the fully digital Saudi Vigilance platform marked a decisive shift toward data-driven health oversight.

Smart digital reporting forms, designed with structured data fields and behavioral prompts, have enhanced both the quality and completeness of safety reports. These improvements ensure that critical health information is captured accurately and consistently across the system.

Building on this digital foundation, the SFDA introduced centralized dashboards that allow real-time monitoring and analysis of adverse events. These dashboards help regulators identify early safety signals, spot under-reporting patterns, and respond proactively to emerging risks.

Automation has played a transformative role in strengthening medication safety operations. By introducing Robotic Process Automation, repetitive and time-consuming tasks such as report sorting, data validation, and signal identification are now handled efficiently by digital systems.

This shift has significantly reduced processing times while improving overall accuracy. At the same time, it has enhanced workplace productivity by allowing professionals to focus on higher-value analytical and decision-making responsibilities rather than routine manual work.

Digital innovation at the SFDA extends beyond monitoring and into prevention and education. The aRMMs e-learning platform has redefined how healthcare professionals are trained on high-risk medicines through engaging digital content and accessible learning tools.

By integrating safety alerts and educational materials directly into hospital information systems, the SFDA ensures that critical guidance reaches doctors and pharmacists at the point of care. This approach embeds safety into daily clinical workflows rather than treating it as a separate process.

Medication error prevention has also seen major advances through the launch of the Saudi Name Registration platform. This system replaces older tools with more sophisticated software capable of analyzing drug names in both Arabic and English.

Real-time alerts, automated updates, and advanced linguistic checks help detect potentially confusing medicine names before products enter the market. This proactive approach significantly reduces the risk of prescription and dispensing errors.

Looking ahead, the SFDA plans to extend these digital capabilities into cosmetic safety oversight. Artificial intelligence-driven tools are being developed to identify regulatory violations, automate ingredient checks, and analyze consumer feedback for early warning signals.

These initiatives demonstrate how technology can strengthen regulatory frameworks while keeping pace with fast-evolving product markets. By leveraging artificial intelligence, automation, and data analytics, the SFDA is shaping a forward-looking model for health and safety governance.

Beyond regulatory outcomes, these reforms support Saudi Arabia’s broader ambition to build a knowledge-based economy. Digital health systems contribute to workforce development, institutional efficiency, and innovation-driven growth across the healthcare sector.

Overall, the SFDA’s digital transformation highlights how strategic use of technology can enhance public trust, improve health outcomes, and position Saudi Arabia as a global reference point for modern, resilient, and future-ready health regulation.

The event, held at the Riyadh Exhibition and Convention Center, was officially opened by Minister of Health Fahad Al-Jalajel.

Now in its eighth edition, the exhibition runs under the inspiring theme “Invest in Health,” bringing together visionaries, healthcare leaders, policymakers, and investors from across the world to explore the future of healthcare transformation.

Organized by the events company Tahaluf with the support of the Ministry of Health, the exhibition reflects Saudi Arabia’s commitment to advancing medical innovation, improving patient care, and fostering international collaboration in the health sector.

Over the years, the event has grown into one of the region’s most influential gatherings for the global health community, aligning perfectly with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 objective of building a world-class healthcare system.

Minister Fahad Al-Jalajel expressed his pride in the event’s success and growing impact. “It is truly inspiring to witness how the Global Health Exhibition continues to expand each year,” he said.

“We are seeing remarkable growth not only in participation but also in partnerships and investments that are shaping the future of healthcare both locally and globally.”

He highlighted that in the previous edition, the exhibition generated SR55 billion ($14.66 billion) in investments. This year, partnerships and projects have already reached SR124 billion, with more expected as the exhibition continues.

In his opening remarks, the minister acknowledged the shared global challenges facing healthcare systems, including the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases, rising medical costs, and shortages in qualified healthcare professionals.

However, he emphasized that Saudi Arabia’s ongoing Health Transformation Program is effectively addressing these challenges through digital innovation, workforce development, and a strong focus on preventive care.

Al-Jalajel elaborated on how the Ministry of Health measures and maintains the quality of services in the Kingdom. “We assess healthcare quality through a wide range of indicators, including patient outcomes, satisfaction levels, and compliance with operational and health quality standards,” he explained.

“This data is continuously monitored through several specialized organizations such as the Facility Safety Program, the Saudi Patient Safety Center, the Council of Health Insurance, and the Saudi Health Council.”

These organizations ensure that healthcare practitioners, facilities, and medical equipment meet the highest safety and performance standards, often in coordination with the Saudi Food and Drug Authority.

The integrated approach highlights the Kingdom’s dedication to transparency, accountability, and excellence in healthcare delivery.

Among the most notable achievements announced during the event was Saudi Arabia’s success in reducing deaths from chronic diseases by 40 percent since 2017.

The country has also achieved a nearly 60 percent reduction in fatalities caused by traffic accidents since 2016, thanks to improved emergency response systems and awareness programs.

Furthermore, life expectancy in the Kingdom has risen significantly — from 74 years in 2016 to 79 years in 2025 — a clear reflection of better healthcare access and lifestyle changes encouraged by public health campaigns.

The exhibition also unveiled several groundbreaking initiatives designed to shape the next generation of healthcare services.

One of the most exciting developments is the AI Physician Experience, a digital innovation aimed at improving disease diagnosis and patient care through artificial intelligence.

The Ministry also announced plans for localizing vaccine manufacturing, in collaboration with leading global biopharmaceutical companies — a move that strengthens national health security and promotes self-sufficiency in medical production.

Another major highlight was the introduction of the Smart Health Coach, developed in partnership with Google through the Sehhaty application.

This digital platform combines AI-powered recommendations with personal health tracking, empowering individuals to take proactive steps toward better health.

The initiative aligns with the Kingdom’s broader digital transformation strategy, which aims to make healthcare more personalized, accessible, and efficient.

The Global Health Exhibition 2025 stands as a testament to Saudi Arabia’s unwavering commitment to building a healthier, more resilient society.

Through collaboration, innovation, and investment, the Kingdom continues to set new benchmarks in global healthcare excellence. As Minister Al-Jalajel emphasized, “Investing in health is not just about improving services — it is about investing in the future of humanity.”

Leading this transformation is Dr. Selwa Al-Hazzaa, founder of the pioneering health-tech startup SDM, which recently launched the Saudi Automated Mammogram Image Analysis (SAMIA) system—an advanced AI solution designed to identify breast cancer within minutes.

Dr. Al-Hazzaa explained that October was chosen for SAMIA’s launch to coincide with Breast Cancer Awareness Month, underscoring the commitment to promoting early detection and saving lives.

The startup SDM, incubated at The Garage in the King Abdullah City for Science and Technology, initially focused on diagnosing diabetic retinopathy through retinal imaging.

Now, it has expanded its expertise to include breast cancer diagnostics, marking a new milestone in Saudi Arabia’s medical innovation journey.

SAMIA uses AI algorithms trained on thousands of mammogram images from Saudi patients. This localized data gives it an edge over foreign technologies, ensuring greater accuracy and sensitivity when screening women in the Kingdom.

Unlike traditional mammogram procedures that often require patients to wait days or even weeks for results, SAMIA delivers detailed, annotated analyses within minutes.

The system identifies suspicious areas, grades the findings, and sends instant reports to physicians, significantly reducing waiting times and anxiety for patients.

Early detection plays a crucial role in improving survival rates. According to the Ministry of Health, more than half of breast cancer cases in Saudi Arabia are diagnosed at a late stage, compared to only 20 percent in more advanced countries.

This delay contributes to higher mortality and treatment costs. However, technologies like SAMIA are helping to change that narrative by enabling faster, more precise screening and promoting preventive healthcare.

Dr. Omar Iskanderani, Assistant Professor and Chairman of Radiotherapy and Tumor Boards at King Abdulaziz University, highlighted the broader benefits of AI in cancer treatment.

He explained that AI enhances accuracy, improves treatment planning, and increases efficiency through real-time analysis of complex medical data.

“With AI, we can offer more personalized care, automate quality control, and ensure consistent, high-quality treatment—even in regions with limited medical resources,” he noted.

He added that early detection can reduce treatment costs by up to 30 percent and significantly improve survival rates, with some studies suggesting up to a 95 percent survival rate when breast cancer is detected in its earliest stages.

Moreover, AI-driven diagnostics like SAMIA support doctors by reducing workloads, allowing them to focus on more complex patient care while AI handles preliminary image analysis.

Dr. Al-Hazzaa emphasized that AI is not meant to replace doctors but to enhance their efficiency. “Artificial Intelligence will never take the place of a physician—it will augment their work,” she said.

“Instead of requiring multiple specialists in one center, AI enables each radiologist to see more patients and make quicker decisions without compromising quality.”

SAMIA’s success also relies on strong partnerships with organizations across the Kingdom. The Saudi Cancer Foundation, led by Mai AlJabr, played a vital role in promoting SDM’s technology in the Eastern Province.

The Ahyaha Society in Madinah supported the initiative by providing mammogram images, while Imam Abdulrahman bin Faisal University contributed by offering data from over 1,500 patients for the proof of concept phase.

The integration of AI into Saudi Arabia’s healthcare system reflects the nation’s ongoing commitment to innovation, sustainability, and improved quality of life, in line with Vision 2030.

Through initiatives like SAMIA, the Kingdom is not only advancing medical technology but also creating a model for other nations to follow—one that combines compassion, innovation, and science to save lives.

As Saudi doctors continue to harness AI for healthcare, the launch of SAMIA stands as a beacon of hope for women across the Kingdom and beyond, proving that technology and humanity can come together to make early detection faster, treatment more effective, and outcomes brighter.

According to the Digital Economy Navigator, a global framework measuring digital maturity, Saudi Arabia scored 91.2 in digital health and education and 83.1 in workforce training. These high scores underline the Kingdom’s commitment to integrating advanced technologies into education, healthcare, and professional training programs, benefiting citizens across the country.

Alaa Abdulaal, chief of digital economy foresight at the Riyadh-based Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO), told Arab News that the Kingdom is among the fastest transforming digital economies worldwide. She highlighted that Saudi Arabia is performing particularly well in digital education, digital health, and workforce development, and is considered a frontier country in terms of maturity across these pillars.

“The Kingdom is doing very well in digital education and digital health, as well as in digital work and training,” Abdulaal said, emphasizing the importance of continuous improvement in these sectors. She added that the Digital Economy Navigator not only measures progress but also provides guidance to identify strengths and areas requiring further development.

Saudi Arabia’s strong foundation in digital regulation has supported its rapid transformation, Abdulaal noted. The Kingdom has developed regulatory frameworks that encourage innovation, facilitate investment, and create a supportive environment for the digital economy, while also maintaining room for further improvement as technology evolves.

“From a regulation perspective, Saudi Arabia’s score is considered very good,” she said. “They are developing regulations that enable prosperity and accelerate the digital economy, ensuring growth across multiple sectors.” Abdulaal stressed that maintaining robust regulations is key to supporting sustainable digital transformation.

While the Kingdom excels in education, health, and workforce development, Abdulaal pointed out that digital innovation remains an area with significant potential.

Increased investment in research and development is critical to advancing technology adoption, fostering innovation, and maintaining leadership in the global digital economy.

“Digital innovation needs strong investment and focus, not only in Saudi Arabia but across all assessed countries,” she said. “The acceleration of technology underscores the need for research and development to drive growth in the digital economy.”

The Digital Economy Navigator collects data from both primary and secondary sources, including surveys of about 500 participants per country, capturing citizens’ perspectives on digital maturity.

This approach ensures that the digital economy reflects societal needs and priorities, aligning growth with public expectations.

Abdulaal emphasized the importance of human capital development as a foundation for a resilient digital economy. The framework evaluates how countries invest in upskilling and reskilling their workforce, preparing society to participate in and benefit from advanced digital technologies.

“Human capital is a main pillar of the digital economy,” she said. “The enabler dimension focuses on digital capabilities, measuring how countries equip their citizens with essential skills for the future.”

She added that strong digital literacy is already evident in Saudi Arabia, but the next phase involves preparing for AI, Internet of Things, quantum computing, and other emerging technologies.

Saudi Arabia’s focus on education, health, and workforce training positions it to capitalize on the opportunities presented by advanced digital technologies.

By combining strong regulation, investment in innovation, and a skilled workforce, the Kingdom is setting the stage for sustainable growth and a thriving, future-ready digital economy.

The country’s achievements in digital health and education highlight its commitment to empowering citizens, enhancing quality of life, and maintaining global leadership in technology and innovation, firmly aligning with the long-term goals of Vision 2030.