Open AccessCOVID-19 in Saudi Arabia: the national health response
Author(s) -
Anas Khan,
Yousef Alsofayan,
Ahmed Alahmari,
Jalal Alowais,
Abdullah Algwizani,
Haleema Alserehi,
Abdullah Assiri,
Hani Jokhdar
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
eastern mediterranean health journal/eastern mediterranean health journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.442
H-Index - 47
eISSN - 1687-1634
pISSN - 1020-3397
DOI - 10.26719/emhj.21.048
Subject(s) - preparedness , hajj , pandemic , public health , population , environmental health , covid-19 , business , government (linguistics) , economic growth , medicine , disease , political science , geography , islam , infectious disease (medical specialty) , nursing , linguistics , philosophy , archaeology , pathology , law , economics
Background: With the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), most countries rushed to take early measures to control this disease. Aims: This paper describes and evaluates the Saudi Arabian strategic preparedness and response plan on COVID-19 up to 31 December 2020. Methods: Saudi Arabia adopted the World Health Organization’s guidelines on response to COVID-19, which are based on nine pillars of public health preparedness and response. The measures Saudi Arabia took are assessed against these pillars. Results: In response to COVID-19, Saudi Arabia prepared public and private institutions to deal with the pandemic. Saudi authorities established a governance system comprised of responsible committees to continuously monitor national and international updates, trace contacts, screen the population, raise awareness and take proper actions to contain the spread of this disease. After the announcement of the first case in Saudi Arabia, all schools, social events, sports activities, domestic travel and international flights were suspended. Restrictions on social movement, social and religious gatherings, travel and businesses were imposed ahead of the first 100 confirmed COVID-19 cases. The Hajj pilgrimage for 2020 was scaled down to limit participants and no cases of COVID-19 were detected among pilgrims. The country maintained all basic health services and immunization programmes and supported all proposals for COVID-19 drugs and vaccines. The country is working to develop its capacity to produce these products and achieve self-sufficiency. Conclusion: Saudi Arabia took extreme measures to respond to COVID-19 which contributed to limiting the spread and effect of the disease.