H.E. Fahad bin Abdulrahman Al-Jalajel is one of Saudi Arabia’s most influential government leaders. Appointed as Minister of Health on October 15, 2021, he plays a key role in driving the Kingdom’s healthcare transformation in alignment with Vision 2030. Al-Jalajel also serves as a Member of the Council of Ministers, Member of the Council of Economic and Development Affairs, Chairman of the Health Sector Transformation Program, and chairs more than 28 national boards, councils, and committees.
Education and Early Career
Born in 1978, Al-Jalajel holds a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from King Saud University in Riyadh and a master’s degree in Computer Science from Saint Joseph’s University in Pennsylvania, USA. He also earned an executive certificate in Leadership and Management from the MIT Sloan School of Management.
He began his professional career in 1998 at King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), where he led open-source software initiatives. In 2001, he transitioned to the General Investment Authority (now the Ministry of Investment), rising to Acting Director General of IT, where he contributed to national strategies for digital governance.
By 2008, Al-Jalajel joined the Ministry of Commerce and Industry as an Advisor to the Minister for IT Affairs, driving key IT modernization projects. In 2012, he became Deputy Minister for Consumer Affairs, where he led reforms in consumer rights protection, implemented advanced regulatory systems, and introduced data-driven decision-making processes.
Leading Saudi Arabia’s Health Sector Transformation
In 2016, Al-Jalajel was appointed Deputy Minister of Health for Planning and Development, where he was instrumental in designing the Health Sector Transformation Strategy — a foundational pillar of Vision 2030. He pioneered data-driven healthcare planning and championed a shift toward digital health solutions.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Al-Jalajel directed national efforts for pandemic response, rapid vaccination rollout, and health system resilience building. Under his leadership, Saudi Arabia achieved top-tier pandemic management rankings — placing among the top G20 countries and securing the second-highest global ranking in pandemic response efficacy.
Minister of Health: A Visionary Leader
Since becoming Minister of Health in October 2021, Al-Jalajel has led bold reforms, including a major shift in the healthcare operating model. In June 2022, he oversaw the establishment of:
- Health Holding Company to manage integrated service delivery via regional healthcare clusters
- National Health Insurance Center to finance healthcare services and enable the strategic separation between regulatory oversight and service provision
This transformation enhances healthcare efficiency, quality, equity, and citizen-centric care — aligning with global best practices and Vision 2030 objectives.
Key Leadership Roles
H.E. Fahad Al-Jalajel chairs or actively contributes to a wide array of national bodies shaping Saudi Arabia’s health ecosystem:
- Chairman, Saudi Health Council
- Chairman, Saudi Food & Drug Authority (SFDA)
- Chairman, Saudi Red Crescent Authority
- Chairman, Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCFHS)
- Chairman, Public Health Authority (Weqaya)
- Chairman, Health Holding Company
- Chairman, National Unified Procurement Company (NUPCO)
- Chairman, Specialized Medical Cities and Hospitals
- Chairman, Saudi National Institute for Health Research
- Chairman, Health Endowment Fund
- Chairman, National Health Insurance Center
- Chairman, National Center for Mental Health Promotion
- Chairman, Saudi Patient Safety Center
- Chairman, Central Board for Accreditation of Healthcare Institutions (CBAHI)
- Chairman, Ministerial Committee for Road Safety
- Chairman, Permanent Committee for Pandemics & Epidemics
- Chairman, Cybersecurity Committee for the Health Sector
- Chairman, Health Sector Transformation Program Committee
- Chairman, Audit & Risk Committee, National Center for Privatization
- Chairman, National Anti-Tobacco Committee
- Chairman, Supervisory Committee for Health Sector Privatization
- Chairman, Ministerial Committee for Health in All Policies
- Chairman, National Health Emergency Preparedness Committee
- Chairman, Steering Committee for Digital Health Transformation
- Chairman, National Committee for E-Health and Medical AI
- Chairman, Committee for Strategic Partnerships in Global Health
Additionally, he serves as:
- Member, Council of Ministers of Saudi Arabia
- Member, Council of Economic and Development Affairs (CEDA)
Vision for the Future of Healthcare in Saudi Arabia
H.E. Fahad Al-Jalajel is driving a future-focused healthcare vision that aims to position Saudi Arabia as a global model for innovative, sustainable, and citizen-centered health systems.
His strategic priorities include:
- Driving national digital health innovation
- Promoting AI-powered healthcare solutions
- Strengthening preventive care and public health infrastructure
- Enhancing patient safety and clinical excellence
- Expanding global partnerships in health and life sciences
- Elevating the Kingdom’s global health competitiveness under Vision 2030
Under his visionary leadership, Saudi Arabia’s health sector is rapidly evolving to meet the needs of a modern, dynamic, and globally connected society.
