Author(s): Ministry of Health
Resource Type: Case studies
Countries: Saudi Arabia
Keywords: Health, Public Sector Innovation, Artificial Intelligence, Cloud Computing, E-Government, Access to Information
Seha Virtual Hospital
Source in English: ENACT Case Study - Seha Virtual Hospital, Saudi Arabia
The Seha Virtual Hospital project has emerged as a transformative force in the realm of healthcare, introducing an innovative approach that harnesses modern technologies to revolutionize patient care and access to medical services. Through a convergence of advanced telehealth technologies, data-driven insights, and specialized expertise, the initiative has marked a significant departure from traditional healthcare paradigms. The Soha virtual hospital empowers the best medical consultants and practitioners using the latest medical technologies to extend the best medical services to all cities and governorates in Saudi Arabia. In 2023, its services covered 130 hospitals and more than 30 specialized services. The results of this endeavour are nothing short of remarkable, underscoring the profound impact it has had on healthcare provision and beyond.
Principles supported
- Responsiveness
- Trust
- Transparency
- Inclusiveness
- Effectiveness
Technology focus
Connectivity (high speed internet/broadband) technologies - Cloud computing - Cybersecurity technologies - Data centres - Artificial intelligence - Big data - Open Data - Immersive technologies (extended reality technologies such as VR, AR & Mixed Reality (MR)) - Blockchain - Geospatial technologies (GIS, GPS and remote sensing) - Internet of Things
Purpose
The project aims to revolutionize healthcare by integrating advanced telehealth technologies and data-driven methods, expanding access, and fostering innovation. The Seha Virtual Hospital uses digital platforms and expertise to overcome barriers, improve care, and provide diverse medical services. It also enhances skills of healthcare professionals to adapt to digital health changes, aligning with national healthcare goals.
Functions
The Seha Virtual Hospital functions as a pivotal conduit, seamlessly granting access to specialized healthcare services across all regions of the Kingdom in a prompt manner. By embracing digital transformation and harnessing cutting-edge technologies, it not only supports innovation but actively contributes to the dissemination of knowledge and the exchange of experiences, amplifying the overall quality and efficiency of health services. This transformative initiative is structured around five principal pathways:
- It ensures emergency and critical care virtual consultations, encompassing virtual stroke consultations and immersive daily critical care assessments.
- The hospital hosts Virtual Specialized Clinics catering to diverse medical needs, such as blood diseases, psychiatry, kidney ailments, endocrinology, diabetes, genetic conditions, medical rehabilitation, and heart disorders.
- It facilitates Multidisciplinary Virtual Committees, uniting virtual national teams for heart health, diabetes management, and psychological well-being.
- The initiative encompasses Virtual Medical Support Services, offering virtual diagnostic radiology, pathology assessments, and pharmacy consultations.
- Seha Virtual Hospital extends its reach to encompass home care services, including 'Hospital at Home' provisions and the virtual monitoring of heart failure patients, ensuring comprehensive and holistic healthcare delivery that transcends geographical boundaries.
Outcomes, impacts & changes
The services reached more than 72,000 beneficiaries and the outcomes extended beyond health care to include the upskilling of digital health concepts, patient information management and enhanced training for both medical and management teams. Furthermore, capacity building enabled technical teams to be exposed to smart/ immersive technologies, cybersecurity, cloud computing and artificial intelligence.
Challenges
- Financial sustainability of the project was a critical challenge facing its continuity.
- Effectiveness and spread of the medical services.
- Absence of data analysis on the core functions of the Hospital. Absence of an integrated medium and long-term communication strategy with the various institutional departments. Moreover, The Situating the virtual hospital in the national health sector where the regulations do not cover virtual health care practices.
- Challenges related to the provision and quality assurance of digital medical services.
