Saudi Arabia To Increase Saudization In Private Healthcare By 2025

[Editor2]

Saudi Arabia is set to implement higher Saudization requirements in specific private-sector healthcare professions beginning in 2025. This policy change aims to further integrate Saudi nationals into the workforce in critical medical fields.

New Saudization Rates​

The new Saudization rates, which mark a significant increase, will impact four healthcare professions:

• Medical Laboratories: Rising from 60% to 70%.
• Physiotherapy: Increasing from 60% to 80%.
• Radiology: Climbing from 60% to 65%.
• Therapeutic Nutrition: Escalating from 60% to 80%.

Implementation Timeline​

The transition will occur in two distinct phases:

1. Phase One (April 17, 2025):
   The new rates will come into effect for all hospitals and health facilities located in Al Khobar, Dammam, Jeddah, Madinah, Makkah, and Riyadh, as well as large healthcare facilities in other cities.
2. Phase Two (October 17, 2025):
   The Saudization requirements will expand to cover all remaining hospitals and health facilities across Saudi Arabia.

Support for Employers​

To assist employers in meeting these new regulations, the Saudi government plans to offer resources for recruiting and training Saudi nationals in the affected fields. This support may include training programs, recruitment drives, and subsidies aimed at easing the transition for healthcare facilities.

Workforce Adjustments​

Employers in the private healthcare sector will likely need to reassess and restructure their workforce to achieve compliance. This may involve reducing reliance on expatriate workers in the specified roles and ensuring adequate representation of Saudi nationals in line with the updated quotas.

Pros and Cons of the Policy​

Pros​

• Increased Local Employment: The new Saudization rates will create more job opportunities for Saudi nationals in healthcare.
• Skills Development: Government-supported training programs will enhance the skillsets of Saudi workers in specialized medical fields.
• Economic Diversification: A more inclusive workforce supports the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 goals of reducing dependence on expatriate labor.

Cons​

• Transition Challenges for Employers: Private healthcare facilities may face difficulties in restructuring their workforce to meet the new quotas, particularly in regions with a smaller pool of trained Saudi professionals.
• Training Timeframe: The time required to adequately train Saudi workers may create temporary staffing shortages or increased costs for employers.
• Limited Flexibility: Smaller healthcare facilities may struggle to adapt quickly, especially in remote areas with fewer local candidates.

This policy underscores Saudi Arabia’s commitment to fostering local talent in its workforce while presenting challenges for employers to ensure compliance. Early planning and leveraging government support will be critical for a smooth transition.

 

[mike1985]

I get the idea behind Saudization, but pushing these numbers so fast could cause major staffing shortages. Especially in specialized fields like radiology and therapeutic nutrition. Not sure if they’ve really thought this through.

 

[jennifer.javier]

I get the idea behind Saudization, but pushing these numbers so fast could cause major staffing shortages. Especially in specialized fields like radiology and therapeutic nutrition. Not sure if they’ve really thought this through.

That’s a good point. Do they have enough trained Saudis to fill these roles already? Or is the government expecting hospitals to train people from scratch while meeting the quotas?

 

[adamhholmes]

That’s a good point. Do they have enough trained Saudis to fill these roles already? Or is the government expecting hospitals to train people from scratch while meeting the quotas?

The government has been running training programs for years, but the real question is whether they have enough qualified professionals now. It’s one thing to set quotas, another thing to ensure a steady supply of well-trained personnel. Saudi universities have been expanding healthcare education, but meeting 80% in some fields within a few months is definitely ambitious.

 

[cmarchan]

GONNA bE A mESS in SmALL citiEs!!! NO waY THey havE enOUgh SaudiS TRAINED!! REmember wHen thEy tRIED ThIS wiTh PHARMACISTS??

 

[sarah_esteve]

I think people are focusing too much on the difficulties. Let’s not forget that this policy is meant to empower local talent. It’s a huge step for young Saudi professionals who have struggled to enter these fields because of the dominance of expatriates. With government support, this could be a long-term win for the industry.

 

[williamson1996]

Therapeutic Nutrition at 80%?? Does Saudi even have 80 nutritionists??

 

[jason51]

For those wondering, the latest stats from the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties indicate that around 3,200 Saudi physiotherapists are currently practicing. But to meet the new 80% threshold, hospitals will likely need over 5,000. The gap is significant, and I wouldn’t be surprised if they introduce grace periods or exceptions for certain specialties.