Saudi Arabia Moves to Create Faster, More Resilient EMS Sector Amid Ongoing Threats in Region

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, one of the richest nations in the Middle East, is creating conditions for the active development of the domestic EMS sector. This is due to the need for increased efficiency amid ongoing instability in the region and the threat of further attacks from Iran. The annual Hajj ceremony also draws millions of people to Mecca, meaning additional efficiency and staffing are needed.

Iran’s attacks were a shock for the country and its key social sectors, including healthcare. The Saudi government is considering adopting measures that will strengthen the entire healthcare sector of the country, including EMS. In addition, as part of state plans, the level of preparedness of the industry escalation of hostilities in the Middle East must be increased.

Prior to 2026, the development of EMS in the Saudi Kingdom occurred with generally positive dynamics. According to a report from Ken Research—an India-based analytics agency—the budget for the entire EMS sector of Saudi Arabia is estimated at around U.S. $1.5 billion; however, there is a serious potential for its significant growth in the near future as the demand for high quality EMS in the country grows. The Consultative Assembly (Majlis ash-Shura) and monarchy of the country are focusing on the development of EMS in rural areas of the country as well as its smaller cities. The current level of EMS in the country’s major cities such as Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam is generally high due to existence of advanced healthcare facilities within their territories. The level of preparedness nationwide of EMS in the case of massive Iranian attacks remains unclear.

The reform of the Saudi EMS sector began in 2023, when the Saudi government implemented a new regulation mandating the establishment of a unified EMS system across the country. This regulation aims to standardize response protocols, improve coordination among various healthcare providers, and ensure timely access to emergency care for all citizens, thereby enhancing the overall efficiency and effectiveness of EMS across the country.

The Saudi Arabian population is projected to reach approximately 38 million by 2027. That will contribute to the higher load on the country’s EMS. The system is already close to its limit with an average of 1.6 million emergency calls annually. The government aims to reduce response times to under 8 minutes in urban areas, necessitating enhanced EMS capabilities and infrastructure investments to meet growing demand.

The demand for EMS has led to a sharp growth of state funding. The Saudi government allocated over SAR 250 billion (approximately U.S $66 billion) for healthcare and EMS for the next several years, focusing on improving EMS services.

This investment includes building new hospitals and upgrading existing facilities, which will enhance the overall EMS framework. Part of these funds will be used for covering operational costs of EMS providers in Saudi Arabia, estimated at SAR 1.2 billion (approximately U.S. $320 million) annually. The government also hopes that the allocation of additional funding will accelerate active training of personnel for the industry. With a projected shortage of 12,000 trained EMS personnel, investing in comprehensive training programs is crucial. In addition to domestic specialists, particular attention will be paid to the attraction of skilled workers from abroad.

Implementation of these plans is scheduled for completion by 2030.

The Saudi government has also plans for more active integration of advanced technologies, such as telemedicine and AI in the country’s EMS in a move to raise its efficiency. This should contribute to decreased response times of domestic ambulances, particularly to pilgrims, millions of which visiting the Kingdom each year, particularly the holy cities of Mecca and Medina.

The existence of efficient EMS has a strategic importance, given frequent tragedies around high pilgrimage times, such as the Hajj. For example, in 2015 a fatal crowd crush in Mecca resulted in the death of more than 2,000 individuals, many of whom were suffocated or crushed, making it the deadliest Hajj disaster in history. The government hopes to avoid repetition of similar tragedies in the future and are paying a particular attention to the development of EMS sector of the two holiest cities of the country and the entire Islamic region.

At the end of May, Saudi Response Plus Medical, the leading prehospital EMS provider in the region, has enhanced its operational readiness for the Hajj season. That came in the form of mobilization of more than 6,000 specialized medical personnel, including doctors, paramedics, nurses, and rapid response teams, along with more than 300 ambulances and emergency vehicles equipped with the latest technologies.

Saudi RPM specializes in ambulance services, hospitals, field clinics, and urgent care. It also operates air and sea ambulance systems and a fleet of ambulances equipped with advanced diagnostic and treatment technologies.

One of the priority goals for Saudi RPM this year will be also the adoption of measures for the growth of awareness of local population of EMS, as the level of such awareness in some rural and small cities of the country remains generally low.