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Lessons from Taiwan to Implement a Good Healthcare System Aligned with Saudi
Vision 2030
The healthcare system of Taiwan ranks globally as one of the best through its
National Health Insurance (NHI) program founded in 1995. The NHI operates through
payroll taxes while the government provides additional support to minimize healthcare access
barriers (Wu et al., 2010). The healthcare system in Taiwan provides extensive coverage
which includes outpatient visits and inpatient care and dental services traditional Chinese
medicine together with prescription drug benefits.Taiwan’s healthcare system stands as an
outstanding model for Saudi Arabia because it achieves universal coverage through
affordable healthcare services with high quality outcomes. The healthcare models of Taiwan
and Saudi Arabia face different population patterns alongside divergent economic
frameworks and healthcare hardships but several important lessons from Taiwan’s approach
fit with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goals. This paper explores key lessons from Taiwan’s
healthcare system and how they can be applied in Saudi Arabia.
Universal Healthcare Coverage through a Single-Payer System
A key takeaway from Taiwan’s NHI is the universal coverage since the system
extends healthcare benefits to almost 99% of its people.. Through this system every resident
of the country including those unemployed or low-income can obtain vital medical
care(Welfare, 2024). This healthcare model delivers societal fairness through its elimination
of medical care costs that exclude people from accessing health services. The system
functions financially with support from payroll-based premiums and government subsidies
and out-of-pocket payments. Gurajala (2023) explains that Saudi Arabia maintains a
healthcare system which provides government hospitals at no cost or reduced rates to citizens
but expatriates receive their healthcare coverage through employer plans (Gurajala, 2023).
Under Vision 2030 Saudi Arabia seeks to develop a more privatized healthcare system that
extends insurance coverage to more citizens (Rahman, 2020). By adopting Taiwan’s singlepayer model elements would improve Saudi Arabia’s healthcare system accessibility and
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operational efficiency. Through a national insurance program integrating public funds with
private sector contributions Saudi Arabia can provide equal healthcare access to all residents
without heavy financial costs.
Integration of Technology and Data-Driven Decision Making
Digital health technologies used by Taiwan operate as international leaders to enhance
both care accessibility and operational efficiency. A complete electronic health record (EHR)
system operates in the country to facilitate effortless healthcare data sharing between all
providers (Baig, 2023). The healthcare system provides patients with rapid medical record
access and decreases documentation requirements and better manages patient care
coordination. Through its integration of artificial intelligence and telemedicine Taiwan
manages to perform improved diagnostic testing while handling healthcare congestion in
facilities and delivering enhanced medical assistance to patients in rural areas (Kaur Thethi
2024).The leadership of Saudi Arabia has recognized digital transformation as one of the
main components of their Vision 2030 development plan. The Saudi Health Information
Exchange (SHIE) and other government programs serve as major initiatives to connect
healthcare facilities data (Al-Kahtani et al., 2022). The complete implementation of
interoperable and maximized beneficial digital health solutions requires further development.
Using Taiwan as an example Saudi Arabia can speed up their process of implementing
Electronic Health Record systems and artificial intelligence diagnostic tools and telemedicine
platforms. Successful implementation in Saudi Arabia requires financial investment to
establish cybersecurity measures that defend patient information while resolving privacyrelated matters (Almaghrabi & Bugis, 2022). Healthcare professionals require specialized
digital skills so the government needs to launch training sessions to prepare them adequately.
Efficient Cost Control Mechanisms
Taiwan provides universal healthcare to its citizens yet maintains healthcare expenses
lower than those found in other developed countries. Under the global budgeting model of the
NHI system hospitals and healthcare providers receive funding restrictions (Tsuei 2024). The
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reimbursement structure in Taiwan consists of fee-for-service payment that provides
reasonable compensation to service providers while regulating medical expenses beyond
necessary levels (Tung et al., 2015). Through negotiations with pharmaceutical firms the
government maintains affordable pricing for medications. The healthcare system of Saudi
Arabia struggles to control costs because the government funds most operations while
extensive tertiary care expenses continue to increase (Nair et al., 2024). Saudi Arabia should
implement cost-control strategies used by Taiwan through budget restrictions for health
institutions and negotiated medical treatment rates while encouraging generic medicine
usage. A better reimbursement system needs development to cut unnecessary costs without
compromising health services quality. Primary and preventive care focuses in Taiwan has
produced remarkable financial relief for hospitals(Tsan-Yu Wu et al., 2024). Saudi Arabia
should build up its primary health care system to detect diseases early which will decrease the
necessity for hospital-based treatment expenses.
Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) for Healthcare Expansion
The health care system of Taiwan operates effectively through combined efforts
between both public and private sector organizations. The service delivery process relies
heavily on private hospitals along with private clinics yet the government maintains its
oversight role and funding responsibilities (Lu & Liang, 2024). The combination of public
and private sector collaboration enables Taiwan to develop new healthcare facilities beyond
what taxpayer resources could support alone.The healthcare sector in Saudi Arabia develops
through active promotion under the framework of Vision 2030. The government works to
draw private capital investments for constructing new hospitals alongside medical research
advancement and service quality improvement (Narwani, 2023). Saudi Arabia can learn from
Taiwan’s PPP model to develop regulatory structures that support private sector involvement
while upholding healthcare service quality and cost accessibility. Saudi Arabia should
guarantee transparent PPP agreements while defining performance standards for private
healthcare providers and developing incentives which promote affordable healthcare services.
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Preventive and Primary Healthcare Focus
The healthcare system in Taiwan dedicates itself to various areas of preventive care
and early diagnoses while operating through community-driven health programs. The NHI
system delivers multiple preventive services such as vaccinations together with cancer
screenings and lifestyle counseling under its coverage (Wu et al., 2010). The proactive
strategy implemented by the system has led to decreased chronic disease cases alongside
decreased hospital entry. In contrast, the healthcare system of Saudi Arabia emphasizes
curative medicine instead of conducting preventive care initiatives. The rapid increase of
non-communicable diseases including diabetes and obesity and cardiovascular conditions
requires Saudi Arabia to prioritize disease prevention (Hazazi & Wilson, 2022). The
implementation of Taiwan’s preventive healthcare model would help Saudi Arabia decrease
hospital demands while generating better public health results. The Saudi government should
start public health awareness programs while supporting regular medical checks and adding
preventive services to primary healthcare sites.
In conclusion, the healthcare system of Taiwan demonstrates crucial practices that
Saudi Arabia can use to fulfill its healthcare objectives from Vision 2030. Saudi Arabia can
develop a better sustainable healthcare system by implementing all aspects of Taiwan’s best
healthcare approaches which include universal coverage and digital transformation alongside
cost control strategies as well as public-private partnerships and preventive care initiatives.
Successful deployment of universal health care depends on two factors: customization for
unique area settings and robust policy structures that back the system and continued support
for healthcare facilities. The vital process of both countries advancing their healthcare service
delivery systems demands continuous assessment alongside adjustment practices. Taiwan’s
experience provides Saudi Arabia with valuable guidance to pursue major health care targets
accompanied by innovative and inclusive health service development throughout the
Kingdom.
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