Comparative Analysis: Healthcare Systems in Saudi Arabia and US

This essay provides a comparative analysis of the healthcare systems in Saudi Arabia and the United States. It begins by outlining the structure of healthcare in Saudi Arabia, emphasizing the role of the Ministry of Health, access to both prescription and over-the-counter medications for immigrants, and the involvement of both public and private sectors. The essay contrasts this with the US system, highlighting the role of income and insurance in determining access to care. It discusses the quality of care in both nations, noting the perceived lower quality in governmental sectors in Saudi Arabia versus the US. The essay explores similarities, such as the use of similar medical protocols and treatments, while also noting differences in the provision of services for specific age groups and the cost of medical expenses. The essay concludes by emphasizing the role of both government and private sectors in Saudi Arabia, while in the US economic stability is a major deciding factor for receiving medicinal facilities. The essay suggests improvements in healthcare systems of both Saudi Arabia and the US.

Running head: HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS AROUND THE WORLD
HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS AROUND THE WORLD
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1HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS AROUND THE WORLD
Saudi Arabia has a vast healthcare system and provides medicinal benefits to a population
of more than 26 million residents. The Ministry Of Health is the principle provider of
majority of the healthcare systems of Saudi Arabia. Both prescription based and over the
counter medications are applicable for international immigrants of Saudi Arabia.
Saudi ministry of health (MoH) is the principle healthcare system and it provides almost
60 % of health services. Apart from it, citizens access basic medical facilities from private
sector and various governmental agencies. However, in US people do not have universal
access, instead receive medical facilities depending upon income levels and immigration
status.
Ministry of health pays for most of the medical expenses apart from some local
governmental healthcare providers (Alkamis, Hassan & Cosgrove, 2014). In US, healthcare is
mostly provided by government programs and private insurance plans for health for citizens.
Saudi Arabia experiences low quality of medicinal facilities achieved in governmental
sectors. Quality of private medical facilities are high alongside increased expenditures
(Almutairi, 2015). The quality of private healthcare systems in US have declined than before
as there is low organisational structure and the facilities lack in a committed and qualified
workforce. Capital investments as well as advocacy regarding quality of healthcare is needed
(Acharya et al., 2017). New start-ups like Neolight has opened for neonatal care in US.
The ministry of health in Saudi Arabia have increased its developments in the health
department by cooperating with foreign organisation. MoH has also introduced a pilot system
for the introduction of 31 public hospitals which will lead to further expansion of its medical
services (Khan & Alam, 2014). However, privatisation of medical facilities has led to decline
in the healthcare services provided. In the US, surgeons and health care professionals are
expertise in their respective fields. However, cons of the healthcare systems includes the

2HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS AROUND THE WORLD
limited accessibility to such medical interventions due to high private expenditure. More,
availability of such services depend on the economic status of people not for the common
masses.
Healthcare systems often employ clinicians and doctors from Europe and US, thus most of
the methodologies pertaining to healthcare are similar for the healthcare systems of Saudi
Arabia and US. For example, the protocols for surgery in both the nations are same.
Treatment of the diseases along with medicines prescribed are also similar. For an instance,
same medicines are prescribed for basic ailments like common cold.
There are differences in both the systems however. Most of the citizens depend on the
government for their medical expenses. For example, in USA, Medicare and Medicaid have
been introduced for assisting elderly. Such services for specific age groups is not available in
Saudi Arabia. The cost of medical expenses in USA is much high whereas general medicinal
services are provided free of cost for most of the citizens of Saudi Arabia. Modes of dressing
is also different. For example, it is compulsory for nurses in Saudi Arabia to wear a hijab.
Thus, concluding to the following paragraphs, it can be seen citizens are benefitted by
government and private sectors in Saudi Arabia whereas in US economic stability is a major
deciding factor for receiving medicinal facilities. Thus there is an improvement in the
healthcare systems of Saudi Arabia and US which can be improvised further in the future.

3HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS AROUND THE WORLD
References
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Almutairi, K. M. (2015). Culture and language differences as a barrier to provision of quality
care by the health workforce in Saudi Arabia. Saudi Medical Journal, 36(4), 425.
Khan, S., & Alam, M. S. (2014). Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: A potential destination for
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