JEDDAH: Pharmacies in Saudi Arabia are struggling to meet the demand for face masks even though no cases of coronavirus have been reported in the Kingdom.
“Despite assurances by the Ministry of Health, people have been coming to our pharmacy demanding face masks, and I’m seeing more people wearing them in public,” pharmacist Adel Abdul Shakoor old Arab News.
“We are out of masks now and usually we have full shelves,” Shakoor said.
The pharmacy placed an order for replacement stock two weeks ago, but it is yet to be filled.
Shakoor said he could not recall the last time a shortage of surgical masks had occurred.
Several local pharmacies in Jeddah have sold out stocks of masks, while others have limited quantities.
One customer at Shakoor’s pharmacy bought a mask to use when he visits the mosque for prayer.
“Those who are coming in close contact and going to crowded places should be wearing a face mask,” said 28-year-old Walid Al-Otaibi.
“I don’t think I will be wearing it right after I leave the pharmacy, but I will consider it if the situation gets worse or I am in crowded areas.”
Mahmoud Sabry, a pharmacist in the Salama district, told Arab News: “We are waiting on fresh stocks from suppliers, but because demand is similarly strong in other countries as well, it might take some time to meet the demand locally.
“Customers come and ask for large quantities of masks, but we don’t allow them to buy more than five boxes,” he said.
One store manager said that his entire stock of face masks had been sold in the past two days — despite the absence of any coronavirus cases in Saudi Arabia.
The Ministry of Health said that all measures have been taken to protect the Kingdom against the virus and confirmed that there have been “no known cases” of infection.
Face masks sell out in Saudi Arabia as coronavirus fears grow
https://arab.news/wqdvj
Face masks sell out in Saudi Arabia as coronavirus fears grow
- Several local pharmacies in Jeddah have sold out stocks of masks, while others have limited quantities
- One store manager said that his entire stock of face masks had been sold in the past two days — despite the absence of any coronavirus cases in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia advances in Universal Health Coverage index
- Life expectancy in Kingdom rose from 74 in 2016 to 79.7 in 2025
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has made notable progress in the Universal Health Coverage Service Coverage Index, reinforcing its position among leading nations in global health indicators, according to the latest data released by the World Health Organization and the World Bank.
The Kingdom recorded a score of 83 points in the latest UHC update, marking a nine-point increase within two years and placing Saudi Arabia among countries classified as having high-level health service coverage.
The steady rise reflects sustained improvements over the past two decades and underscores the impact of the Kingdom’s Health Sector Transformation Program under Saudi Vision 2030.
The UHC Service Coverage Index is one of the internationally recognized Sustainable Development Goal indicators and measures access to essential health services across key areas, including preventive care, treatment, and system capacity.
Progress in the index is closely linked to broader development outcomes such as improved quality of life, reduced disease burden, and enhanced social well-being.
Saudi Arabia’s advancement has been driven by a strategic focus on preventive healthcare, strengthened primary care services, expanded early screening programs, and increased health system readiness.
The transformation has also been supported by rapid digitalization, including platforms such as Sehhaty and the Seha Virtual Hospital, which have expanded access to care and improved service efficiency nationwide.
These reforms have translated into measurable public health gains. Life expectancy in Saudi Arabia rose from 74 years in 2016 to about 79.7 in 2025, bringing the Kingdom close to its Vision 2030 target of 80 years and highlighting the effectiveness of preventive and treatment programs.
Health Minister Fahad Abdulrahman AlJalajel said the progress reflected the tangible outcomes of Vision 2030 and sustained leadership support.
He said: “The improvements we see today in international health indicators demonstrate the real impact of the Kingdom’s health transformation, which prioritizes prevention, primary care empowerment, and digital health solutions. Raising life expectancy to 79.7 years is the result of an integrated effort focused on improving people’s health and quality of life.”
Saudi Arabia’s progress in the UHC index further strengthens its standing among G20 countries and underscores the Kingdom’s commitment to building a more efficient, resilient, and sustainable health system, with people at the center of national development.
