The Ministry of Health (MOH) is concerned with telemedicine as part of its relentless pursuits of tangible progress in the field of e-health. This is happening through the National E-Health Strategy and the shift toward electronic transactions.
Telemedicine involves using information technology and electronic communication means to provide services like diagnosis, examination, and medical assessment to patients. It mainly aims to facilitate communication among health practitioners themselves, and with their patients. Telemedicine has also made it easier for doctors to communicate with one another, whether in terms of consultations, scientific conferences, or other medical educational activities. Through telemedicine, health crises can be managed using information systems. Moreover, telemedicine is used to disseminate medical information, announce a country's health status, and create comprehensive medical databases.
In addition, the Center has launched the
Saudi Telehealth Network initiative to connect specialized health care facilities with primary health care centers and hospitals in remote areas using telemedicine systems. This would enhance the quality of the healthcare services provided, and make them cost-effective, regardless of the geographical location or the size of facilities.