Saudi Arabia's Physiotherapy Market: A Global Leader in the Making

The healthcare sector in Saudi Arabia has witnessed continued growth on the back of rising investments from both the government and the private sector. A rapidly-increasing population and high percentage of diseases caused by sedentary lifestyle are driving the need for healthcare in the country. Rising insurance penetration is also encouraging more visits to healthcare facilitators among the population. In 2013, the Saudi government spent close to$ 24 billion (3.2% of GDP) on healthcare. It is expected that the Saudi healthcare market will see a phenomenal CAGR (2014–19) of 20% over the next five years.

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The outpatient care segment was the most lucrative segment in 2014, with the total expenditure of SAR 40 billion, equivalent to 32% of the sector’s overall value. The inpatient care segment was not far behind and contributed SAR 36 billion of the total expenditure in the same year, equating to 29% of the sector’s overall value.

The Saudi government is the major funds-provider to the healthcare sector. It channels these funds either directly to its own Ministry of Health (MOH) hospitals or indirectly through subsidies to private health institutions. The MOH owns and operates the majority (70%) of the Saudi hospitals. Saudi nationals and people visiting Mecca for the hajj pilgrimage are entitled to free healthcare in these hospitals. Approximately 76% of the 59,500 healthcare professionals (est. 2013) in the MOH facilities are Saudi nationals.

Private sector healthcare facilities, which make up 30% of the Kingdom’s healthcare facilities, are vital for Saudi Arabia’s nine million expatriates who have limited access to the MOH facilities. Unlike the MOH facilities, they employ more non-Saudi healthcare professionals compared to locals. Expats accounted for 58% of the 9,600 healthcare professionals employed in the private sector healthcare facilities in 2014.

The Physiotherapy Market

Physiotherapy is a special segment of healthcare, which deals with the treatment of diseases, injuries, and deformities through methods such as massages, exercises, heat treatment, etc. rather than administration of drugs or surgery. Typically, as an economy progresses the demand for physiotherapy increases. This is because the development of the economy leads to numerous other developments such as increase in life expectancy of people, rise in sporting activities in the country, and rising incidences of lifestyle-related diseases. Saudi Arabia is currently going through such a phase where a booming sports industry, ageing population, and rise in disability are fueling a strong demand for physiotherapy.

Riyadh has the highest treated physiotherapy patients at 110,000 in the MOH hospitals, followed by the Eastern Region at 108,000 and Makkah at 87,000. King Khalid University Hospital (KKUH) and King Abdul-Aziz University Hospital (KAUH), the two major rehabilitation outpatient service providers in Riyadh, specialize in physiotherapy. The rehabilitation departments of these hospitals consist of the rehabilitation medicine clinic, physical therapy, occupational therapy, communication disorders, orthotics and prosthetic, nutrition, psychology, and social services. They operate on a referral system used by physicians from different departments within the hospital.

Riyadh, Jeddah and Ha’il shared almost 80% of private physiotherapy facilities in the country among themselves (est. 2013). The Kingdom has very limited high-end hospitals, and hence the competition in the high-end healthcare facility segment is very low. At the same time, the MOH hospitals are burdened by the rising number of patients and increasing healthcare requirements of the country’s burgeoning population. This leaves ample space for the private healthcare sector to grow too as it will take years for the market to saturate given the gradual growth in the sector.

Growth Drivers of the KSA Physiotherapy Market

Boom in the KSA sports segment: The KSA sports sector is seeing growth at over 40% per year backed by major government initiatives to promote sports. The Saudi government has pushed the promotion of sports, and removed restrictions in women’s sports, leading to a boom in women’s fitness. Contact sports such as football, widely practiced in Saudi Arabia, have a high propensity to result in sports-related injuries requiring physiotherapist intervention.

Ageing population on the rise: The KSA has witnessed an increase in the life expectancy rate, which has increased to 75.3 years in 2011 from 72.6 years in 2000, revealing a trend towards an ageing population. The requirement for physiotherapy is high among this age group.

Lifestyle-related diseases: In Saudi Arabia, disability incidences are increasing with rapid increase in “diseases of civilization”, which include obesity, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. Furthermore, the escalating rate of road traffic accidents is accompanied by a high increase in people with disability. Besides, reasons such as burgeoning population, change in lifestyle leading to greater incidence of diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases, increased road traffic accidents leading to head injury, stroke, spinal cord injury, etc. lead to a greater requirement for rehabilitation services.

Disabilities in children and accident victims: Medical developments that increase survival rates for trauma victims and babies born with severe birth defects create additional demand for rehabilitative services. Customers for therapy services range from small children with physical or learning disabilities to elderly adults suffering from illness or mental deterioration. Victims of accidents span all age ranges.

Government support towards the private healthcare sector: The Saudi government has taken the necessary steps to promote the healthcare sector in the country by attracting more private investments. As a result, the private sector participation in healthcare has increased to 31.1 per cent in 2011 from 25.3 per cent in 2006.

The growth of the KSA physiotherapy market is being driven by a number of factors, including:

• Rising prevalence of chronic diseases: The prevalence of chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and arthritis, is on the rise in Saudi Arabia. These diseases can lead to significant mobility and pain issues, which can be addressed through physiotherapy.
• Increasing demand for preventive healthcare: Saudi Arabia is increasingly focusing on preventive healthcare. Physiotherapy can play a key role in preventive healthcare by helping people to maintain their mobility and fitness, and by reducing their risk of injuries.
• Growing awareness of the benefits of physiotherapy: There is growing awareness of the benefits of physiotherapy among Saudi Arabians. Physiotherapy can help people to recover from injuries and surgeries, manage chronic pain, and improve their overall mobility and quality of life.

The growth of the KSA physiotherapy market is creating a number of opportunities for businesses. For example, there is a growing demand for physiotherapy clinics and rehabilitation centers. There is also a growing demand for physiotherapy equipment and supplies.

In addition, the KSA government is investing in the development of the physiotherapy sector. For example, the government is establishing new physiotherapy schools and training programs. The government is also providing financial support to physiotherapy clinics and rehabilitation centers.

Overall, the outlook for the KSA physiotherapy market is very positive. The market is expected to grow significantly in the coming years, driven by the rising prevalence of chronic diseases, the increasing demand for preventive healthcare, and the growing awareness of the benefits of physiotherapy.

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