RIYADH: The Ministry of Health’s Seha Virtual Hospital and the Innovation Empowerment Center won the Zimam Digital Health Award in the category of Digital Health Organization of the Year at the eighth Zimam Digital Health Forum in Dubai.

The award recognizes their adoption of innovative digital health strategies to improve care quality, facilitate access, and expand healthcare reach, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

These initiatives support the Health Sector Transformation Program under Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to promote sustainable health.

The Zimam Award honors health organizations in the Middle East and North Africa that implement effective digital health initiatives, enhance local capabilities, and improve patient outcomes.

Through the Kingdom’s first virtual hospital in Riyadh, the Ministry of Health demonstrates its use of modern medical technologies to improve service quality and operational efficiency.

Seha Virtual Hospital was launched in February 2022 as part of the Kingdom’s efforts to digitize its healthcare sector. It aims to improve upon and promote the culture of virtual medicine in healthcare and provide the best virtual health services at the national and international levels.

Patients no longer need to travel to different parts of the Kingdom to be seen by specialized physicians and are not limited to regular clinic hours.

Unlike simple video calls with doctors, the virtual hospital allows patients to visit their local hospital and attend a real-time live video clinical session with top specialists from across the Kingdom.

During the session, vital signs, tests and X-rays can be taken and shared with a network of specialists. Emergency interventions can be provided around the clock, with top physicians able to guide local junior staff through complex cases.