The demand for improved health care services has increased in Saudi Arabia and the kingdom spent SR4.8 billion ($1.28 billion) on drugs last year, a report said.

Due to the steady increase in demand for quality health services in the kingdom and across the GCC, experts are predicting an unprecedented increase in the sales of laboratory and diagnostic equipment in the region, with the Saudi market accounting for approximately 65 percent of the total GCC health services market, said the Saudi Gazette report.

Meanwhile, Dr Soliman Fakeeh Hospital (DSFH) has entered into an agreement with Abbott Worldwide, through its approved agent in the kingdom Medi Serv, for the purchase of laboratory equipment and devices worth more than SR22 million ($5.87 million).

“The progress in laboratory analysis has increased the market size of medical diagnostic equipment and the market reached SR3.75 billion ($1 billion) in 2007 with anticipated growth over the next few years,” said Dr Mazen Soliman Fakeeh, director general of DSFH.