6 Saudi health apps helping people live better

National healthcare spending in Saudi Arabia is expected to reach $35 billion by the end of this year.

To put it in context, that number is equivalent to 4.8 percent of the kingdom’s total GDP.

However, if you look more deeply into the health care budget of KSA, you will see that annually, almost 10 percent of this amount ($3.1 billion) is spent directly on treatment of 25 percent of the Saudi population – diabetes patients.

More broadly, about $26 billion are spent directly and indirectly on diabetes-related issues in Saudi Arabia each year. In short, diabetes is a major public health issue in the Kingdom. Fortunately, creative use of technology is helping to reduce these costs.

Here is our list of some of the most prominent Saudi apps and platforms raising awareness about the importance of healthy lifestyles in the country:

1. Junnah

Officially launched in December 2014, Junnah.com is the brainchild of Saudi entrepreneurs Fouad Farhan and Sami Hussein, cofounders of Saudi’s first MOOC platform, Rwaq.

With several apps to chose from, users can track their daily activities, organize their meals, and get advice on how to improve their lifestyle.

Their primary target are those who are clinically obese and suffering from diabetes – that’s 35 percent of the population, and most of their services are free.

Original article by Ahmed Gabr

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6 Saudi health apps helping people live better