Saudi Arabia is set to implement an increase in Saudization targets for four key job roles in the private healthcare sector, as announced by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD) in tandem with the Ministry of Health.

As part of the initiative, Saudization rate in 4 key roles will be increased including, radiology roles to 65 per cent, medical laboratory roles to 70 per cent, therapeutic nutritionist and physiotherapist roles to 80 per cent target each. 

The aim is to bolster Saudi Arabia’s ongoing efforts to create more job opportunities for its citizens while improving healthcare quality in the private sector. And by raising Saudization rates, the government’s efforts to localise health professions, supporting young Saudis to enter the workforce, ensuring alignment with labour market needs.

The changes will come into effect from April 2025, across major cities including, Riyadh, Makkah, Madinah, Jeddah, Dammam, and Al-Khobar, as well as large health facilities in other regions, and by October 2025, MHRSD and Ministry of Health plans to extend the initiative nationwide covering all health facilities.

All the private healthcare sector employers will receive support from the initiative, including recruitment assistance, training, and job retention support, provided by the Human Resources Development Fund (HADAF).

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MHRSD is continuously enhancing efforts towards talent localisation across the private sectors of the region. Recently the ministry announced a new policy requiring private sector businesses to have 25 percent of their engineering workforce be Saudi nationals. The Saudization efforts in the Private engineering sector will be led by MHRSD in partnership with the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing.