MENA Primary Care Physicians Market: Current Analysis and Forecast (2024-2032)

The market of primary care physicians in the MENA is defined as the delivery of integrated, available, and sustained health care services to patients at all stages of their life cycle in the Middle East and North African region. This market involves primary care physicians who work under a general practice or are family medicine specialists who attend to patients with first-contact access, common morbidities, chronic conditions, and quick access to other specialist care. The factors fostering the growth of this market include an increase in the incidence of diseases, an aging population, augmentation in the trend of healthcare costs, improved research in information technology in healthcare through the use of telehealth solutions and electronic health records and increasing focus on availability and quality of healthcare services. Moreover, medical tourism and privatization as well as the PPPs act as drivers in the advancement and improvement of primary healthcare in the region.

The market for Primary Care Physicians in the MENA region is set to exhibit a growth rate of about 6.4% due to the development of an integrated care model, growing investment, and advancement in Electronic Health Records (EHR) driving the growth of the market. For instance, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre (KFSH&RC) in Saudi Arabia has signed a non-binding MoU with Oracle to advance the digitization of the healthcare sector. The collaboration aims to accelerate the application of EHR technology and improve digital transformation in the Saudi healthcare sector.

Based on type, the market is segmented into non-communicable diseases, general practice, child health, and others. Among them, the general practice segment emerged as the most dominant market segment because of the rising rates of chronic diseases like diabetes, hypertension, and cardiac ailments that entail long-term evaluations by general practitioners. Furthermore, the shift towards proactive healthcare and timely diagnosis cannot be overlooked, due to GPs' ability to identify issues during routine check-ups and monitoring. Telemedicine and electronic health records (EHR) as an implementation of digital health technologies widens the availability and productivity of general practice and improves the ability of patients to gain access to care, as well as of physicians to have an organized and effective system of handling outpatients' information. These growth factors further drive the growth of the market,

Based on age group, the market is segmented into infant, pediatrics, adult, and geriatric. Among them, the infant segment led the market in 2023. There is a high demand for pediatricians and family doctors with a special focus on infants since people in this region are having more children and there is a rising focus on a healthy childhood. Compared to the other development stages, the infancy stage is important in laying down health-related decisions for a lifetime as requires routine checkups, immunization, and parental advice. This demand earns the need to hire more qualified primary care physicians capable of catering to infants than any other doctor and this will enhance the well-being of any child also in cases where there are any complications they will be dealt with in the shortest time possible. Hence, pediatric clinics and the family health practices of infancy attract many patients and new opportunities for primary care physicians in the field of pediatric medicine.

Based on service provider, the market is segmented into hospitals & clinics, outpatient departments, and others. Among them, hospitals & clinics are identified to have dominated the overall market in the past and were categorized under this segment. As a result of a growing population and enhanced urbanization across the continent, the need for healthcare services proffered by these primary care physicians practicing in hospitals and clinics is on the rise. These work as care entry points for clients who access the health system for prolonged periods, ongoing illness, and temporary sicknesses. The continuous development of the healthcare systems through the creation of more hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare facilities plays a positive role in advancing this market and providing more employment opportunities for primary care physicians. Furthermore, employing a network approach, this study underlines how important hospitals and clinics are as focal organizations that contribute to building interprofessional relationships among practitioners throughout the MENA countries, thus improving the quality of patient care.

For a better understanding of the market adoption of primary care physicians, the market is analyzed based on its presence in MENA countries such as Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Rest of MENA. Among them, Saudi Arabia continues to dominate the market in the region during the forecast period. The Saudi Arabia primary care physicians' market forms an important segment of the country's healthcare industry as spurred by the government efforts in the qualitative improvement of healthcare services. It includes general practitioners, family doctors, and internists or physicians who offer the below primary and secondary care services to the population. The incentive drivers include increasing government funding in health facilities, increasing rates of chronic diseases, and increasing interest in preventive care. For instance, according to Globocan, the total number of cancer cases in Saudi Arabia reached 27,885 in 2020 and is expected to reach 60,429 by 2040. According to the same source, in 2020, about 4,807 and 3,842 new cancer cases were reported in the UAE and Kuwait, respectively. Also, the Saudi Vision 2030 initiative aims to diversify the economy and improve public services, including healthcare, which is expected to boost the market further. Additionally, the expanding population and greater health awareness among citizens contribute to the rising demand for primary care services.

Some of the major players operating in the market include Teladoc Health, Inc.; MCKESSON CORPORATION; Koninklijke Philips N.V.; Medtronic; Cura (Ubieva LLC); Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare; KFSHRC; Rashid Hospital; King Abdulaziz University; Sheba Medical Center.