Oil has emerged to be a boon and bane for Saudi Arabia. While it has fetched immense wealth and transformed the mostly desert Peninsula into one of the modernest nations, it brought about obesity and many other diseases.
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs)–known as lifestyle diseases–are increasing at an alarming rate in the world’s dominant oil power as a result of increasing prosperity and the socio-economic transformation, the country’s largest bank, National Commercial Bank (NCB) said in a study sent to Emirates 24/7.
The epidemiological profile of the Kingdom includes high incidences of obesity, hypertension and diabetes mellitus, particularly Type-2, it said.
“The latter has been the leading cause of cardiovascular disease, kidney failures and amputations. The complications caused by these diseases will increase long-term costs, further burdening an already over-stretched healthcare system.”
The 12-page report cited a survey released by the Saudi Diabetes and Endocrine Association (SDEA) in 2010 showing that over 70 per cent of the Saudi population is alarmingly obese.
It cited another report by the World Health Organization which determined that both men’s and women’s estimated mean Body Mass Index (BMI) in the Kingdom scored 26.6 kg/m2 and 28 kg/m2, respectively in 2010.
A BMI score above 25 kg/m2 is indicative of an overweight populace and that above 30 kg/m2 denotes obesity, according to the report.
In 2009, about 6.2 per cent of total visits to the Saudi ministry of health (MoH) centers were related to diabetes, the report said, adding that 45 per cent of visits came from patients in the 45–60 age group, with patients from ages 15+ accounting for nearly 96 per cent of these visits.
“Saudis accounted for 97 per cent of these total visits. This figure omits all other diabetes related complications such as cardiovascular diseases,” it said.
“Additionally, emergency cases related to diabetes were equivalent to 484,239 or three per cent of the total of emergency cases reported in 2009 at MoH hospitals. Of significance, again, is that 93 per cent of these diabetes emergency cases were reported by Saudi nationals.”
The report said that although these measures are restricted to MoH hospitals, which cater mainly to Saudi nationals, they still serve to highlight this inherent national problem. “The economic burden associated with the disabilities and loss of life caused by diabetes will escalate, should the lifestyle not adjust,” it warned.
NCB cited figures by the World Bank showing that Saudi Arabia spends much on the health sector, with such allocations representing 3.3 per cent of the country’s 2008 gross domestic product, an equivalent of SR58.9 billion.
During 2000-2009, the Kingdom’s nominal GDP grew by 7.9 per cent. By 2009, it is estimated that the public health sector’s share was still hovering high at 77 per cent, with private health participation accounting for 23 per cent. Per capita healthcare GDP amounted to approximately SR2,506 in that year.
The 2011 state budget, announced in December 2010, stated that the Health and Social Affairs component of expenditure will increase to 11.8 per cent of the total budget, rising by 12.3 per cent from the previous year.
“In the Kingdom’s latest five year Development Plan (2010–2014), social development and healthcare is poised to command a 19 per cent share of total budgeted expenditure, equivalent to SR273.9 billion. Financial allocation for the healthcare segment alone commands 89 per cent of this total, corresponding to SR242.7 billion. Additionally, approved MoH health projects for 2011 include developments of more than 3,500 beds in hospitals of various disciplines.”
The report noted that health sector expansions were prompted by a steady growth in the population, which it expected to reach around 31.69 million at the end of 2015 compared with 27.1 million at the end of 2010.
“The growth rate for Saudi nationals will continue to rise, while the proportion of expatriates will increase at a decelerating rate, thereby slightly decreasing relative to previous influxes spurred by economic booms,” it said.
“The significance of this demographic shift is that Saudis have developed a predisposition to lifestyle diseases that will translate into an expensive medical profile requiring complex treatments over the long-term. This will increase demand for enhancing medical facilities.”
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