Driving Healthcare Transformation: International SOS's Role in Saudi Vision 2030

In the heart of Saudi Arabia's dynamic landscape, International SOS stands at the forefront of healthcare transformation. Shady Shourbagy, the Regional General Manager, S&M Europe & Middle East at International SOS, said that Since 2018, International SOS has joined forces with Al Rushaid, a prominent Saudi-owned company, to establish the International SOS – Al Rushaid joint venture. Through this strategic partnership, we provide comprehensive medical services tailored to the unique needs of various industries in the country, including construction, infrastructure, entertainment, and to the Saudi government.

Our joint venture now employs over 470 professionals, with more than half of them being qualified medical professionals. Together, we oversee the health and wellbeing of over 50,000 workforce across over 50 projects throughout Saudi Arabia. These projects span critical sectors such as tourism, infrastructure, construction, energy, and mining.

Our medical and assistance services ensure primary and emergency healthcare, effective health management and medical evacuations for the workforce at remote and industrial sites. Our innovative Digital Solutions and cutting-edge technology not only address specific workforce healthcare and wellbeing needs but also streamline and enhance our emergency response, as they empower our on-site medical staff to connect with International SOS Medical team, who can provide real-time guidance, and instructions for administering first aid, stabilise patients, and even remotely monitor vital signs.

Recent milestones, such as the introduction of Occupational Health Mobile Clinics and Telehealth services including specialists consultations, underscore our commitment to innovation. By enhancing operational efficiency and prioritising the holistic wellbeing of the Saudi workforce, we reduce loss time, improve workforce health and productivity, actively contribute to the country's ambitious Vision 2030 development goals, and help organisations to save costs.

Moreover, our tailored health consulting solutions, which include Major Projects Health Planning, Strategic Health Initiates, Health Management Systems, development of policies and procedures that cover occupational health, emergency medicine, infectious disease, heat management, public health, epidemiology and more, are designed to tackle the unique challenges faced by Saudi and international organisations. Our deep understanding of the country's cultural nuances and regulatory landscape, combined with our extensive regional and global network, enables us to offer customised approaches.

Our medical solutions are catered to the unique challenges posed by large-scale projects, such as remote locations, fragmented medical infrastructure, diverse and numerous workforces, cultural sensitivities, harsh working conditions, and stringent health and safety regulations. International SOS medical professionals and digital tools and Telehealth technology are deployed at numerous large-scale projects across Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Iraq, Egypt and across 90 countries worldwide. 

We plan to further expand our presence and capabilities in Saudi Arabia in 2024, building on its existing collaborations with major corporations. Moreover, we recognise the unique challenges posed by the rapid expansion of emerging sectors like entertainment and other large-scale projects. 

Our commitment to delivering high-quality primary and emergency healthcare at remote sites extends to continuous investment into Training and Development, ensuring our medical teams are equipped with the necessary skills for on-site medical situations. Continuous Medical Education programs further enhance the proficiency of our healthcare professionals. Besides, our medical professionals prioritise Health and Wellbeing education initiatives, fostering a proactive culture of preventive care among project workforces. 

In addition to our Telehealth solutions, we employ robust reporting and analysis tools to maintain medical records, case management, inventory, administrative management, and to ensure high-quality delivery of medical services by leveraging data and enable informed decision-making for the project key stakeholders. 

With our vast local, regional and global network, we connect our site medical teams with specialised care through specialty referrals. This holistic approach, coupled with leveraging our network capabilities, enables us to effectively navigate the intricate health landscape of large-scale projects across Saudi Arabia and the wider Middle East region.

Consulting services play a pivotal role in establishing a resilient foundation for the health, safety, and wellbeing of workers on large-scale projects. Major project health planning is not only critical, but also promises enhanced project performance as a valuable return on investment. We provide strategic healthcare advice, planning, and support to organisations, assisting them in identifying potential risks, setting up health management systems, and implementing efficient preventive measures. 

With this proactive approach, risks are mitigated, and a safe working environment is established from the very beginning of a project through the integration of health and wellness considerations into the project's overall planning strategy and feasibility. We also conduct risk assessments and offer continued guidance during the construction phase to identify and reduce major project risks. As a result, we establish robust policies and procedures, as well as help organisations to closely monitor changing conditions and potential hazards, thereby minimising disruptions and guaranteeing project continuity. To further assess and manage health risks at project sites, we deliver site health reviews, health advisory support, and comprehensive industrial hygiene services. 

Staffed by highly qualified healthcare professionals, our well-equipped on-site medical facilities are strategically located across project sites in line with workforce concentration to ensure smooth and easy access to primary and emergency care. Using our network of accredited hospitals and physicians, we ensure access to specialists for a second opinion if required. Our Telehealth capabilities also make it possible to provide medical care to remote areas with the assistance of the International SOS response centre. It enables International SOS physicians to provide consultations and diagnostics remotely, ensuring emergency response in severe cases and timely medical assistance for routine healthcare. 

Our proactive health programs, which include vaccinations, health screenings, lifestyle promotion and other occupational health services, have all been designed to meet the unique needs of diverse workforces. These initiatives lead to improved health outcomes, reduced workplace injuries and illnesses, enhanced morale, and quality of life for employees. These results minimise downtime due to health issues, ensure uninterrupted workflow and project continuity, and enhance projects’ operational performance.

When it comes to our operations in Saudi Arabia, we are firmly committed to Saudisation and promoting local content. We are investing in Saudi talent by providing local and international training within the International SOS group of companies, along with development programs that equip nationals with the skills and opportunities they need to succeed in their careers. To support the expansion and sustainability of the regional economy, we place a high priority on utilising local talent and resources. This emphasis on Saudization not only supports national goals, but also deepens our ties to the community, resulting in long-term collaborations and mutual development.

We take pride in fostering gender diversity within the JV, welcoming an increasing number of female staff to our teams. Delivering world-class healthcare to Saudi Arabia's mega-projects, along with facilitating knowledge exchange with global industry leaders and women in leadership, represents an important step towards realising the Saudi Vision 2030 initiative.  

International SOS Al-Rushaid joint venture is a truly national Saudi company that aligns with local priorities and fosters deep-rooted connections to the Saudi 2030 vision and its economic goals. Our commitment to the welfare of the country is demonstrated by our use of only locally sourced goods, our promotion of local content in all aspects of our supply chain solutions, and our close collaboration with national partners in the provision of healthcare solutions across Saudi projects. Additionally, our strategic partnerships with local stakeholders, including government agencies, healthcare providers, and community organisations, exemplify our steadfast integration into the Saudi landscape, reinforcing our local identity and expertise despite any perceptions of being a foreign entity.