Lord Darzi leads UK healthcare delegation to Saudi Arabia

Last week, Lord Darzi of Denham, the UK’s life-sciences ambassador led a team of top UK clinicians and academics to offer expertise in the development of a major programme to develop Saudi Arabia's health system.

Last week, Lord Darzi of Denham, a professor and surgeon and the UK’s life-sciences ambassador led a team of top UK clinicians and academics to offer expertise in the development of a major programme to develop Saudi Arabia’s health system.

The Saudi Arabian Ministry of Health will invest $120bn over the next 5 years to improve the range and quality of services available, which will lead to the creation of 22,000 new hospital beds. It will also include the development of a new primary care infrastructure and public health system.

Since the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the UK and Saudi Governments in April 2011, the Saudi health authorities have expressed interest in enlisting UK expertise in the development of their capabilities in a wide range of specialties such as service design, training and education, as well as paramedical staff, nurses, and public health professionals.

During the two-day visit the delegation met with the leading Saudi clinicians and health officials, the Minister of Health, and the British Deputy Ambassador. The visit, which was organised by UKTI, provided a platform for discussions with Saudi Arabian counterparts about the formation of partnerships that will benefit both sides.

Reflecting on the visit, Lord Darzi said:

“The ultimate aim of this mission is to firmly establish the UK as the Ministry of Health’s partner of choice in the pursuit of this ambitious agenda. My team and I were impressed by the Saudi’s vision and look forward to having the opportunity to work collaboratively to help achieve this bold programme.”