SOCIO-ECONOMIC & HEALTH STATUS



Socio-Economic Status, Income and Health in Saudi Arabia

Introduction

Saudi Arabia has witnessed many challenges in the past, though for past 30 years; the nation has experienced vast socio-economic development with continuous improvement in education, health, environment and housing. Now, there is an enormous link of roads, airports, seaports, railways, power, plants for water desalination and large industrial infrastructure. Saudi Arabia is a large country covering more than two million square kilometer area and well known for its highlands and arid deserts. The climate is dry except the coastal regions in the west and south west side of the country. Today, Saudi Arabia has modern schools and universities, hospitals, tourist and recreation facilities. The UNDP (United Nations Development Program) annual report of 2002, has suggested that the country has great leaders and efficient strategies and economic growth program, and the country will soon be recognized for its high social developments. Comparatively, the healthcare and social services in the country have been given a significantly high priority by the private and government organizations. For few decades, health services have been improved in terms of quality and quantity. The increase in population and public demands are considered as the primary factor that caused the attention of the government investments in this area. Among many countries, Saudi Arabia is considered to be the most prominent for managing its healthcare services efficiently for such a large geographic community and expansion, incompatible conditions, and high level of care to all classes of the society.

Discussions

Outline

The paper has created to connect the socio-economic status and the healthcare status in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The country has various issues in the past, including the increased population which demanded the quality of healthcare services. The economy of Saudi Arabia is oil based and government strongly controlling the most of the economic and social activities. Due to increased requirements of petroleum between 2006 and 2008, the country produced many industrial sectors, offering employment to more than six million workers from overseas. The country has taken actions to attract foreign investors and for that became a member of WTO (World Trade Organization) in 2005 (Economy Watch, 2010). Recently, the government diverted its viewpoint concentrating more towards the development of the healthcare sector. Information technology is being employed in many of the health industry and has increased the quality of health services. Moreover, the software applications and high-tech equipments have enabled diagnosis and treatments of such diseases that were found difficult to be treated few years back.

Investigations and Research

Saudi Arabia has been witnessing continuous expansion in social and economic prospects. Since the very beginning and later in 1970, many 5 year plans have been put forward to change the policies and its impact on social and economic growth. The ministry of Saudi Arabia in the plan of 2005, have given a vision of growth at 2020, which focuses more towards increased job and per year income, and reduction in poverty rates. Over the past ten years, the industrial growth ...