GVR Report cover Middle East And Africa Telehealth Market Size, Share & Trends Report

Middle East And Africa Telehealth Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Product Type, By Delivery Mode, By End-use, And Segment Forecasts, 2022 - 2030

  • Report ID: GVR-4-68039-971-2
  • Number of Pages: 90
  • Format: Electronic (PDF)
  • Historical Range: 2016 - 2020
  • Industry: Healthcare

Report Overview

The Middle East and Africa telehealth market size was valued at USD 2.6 billion in 2021 and is projected to develop at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 26.3% from 2022 to 2030. Improving internet connectivity and increasing smartphone penetration are supporting digitalization of the healthcare. According to GSMA, The Mobile Economy estimates for the Middle East and North Africa regions, the number of mobile internet users exceeded 300 million and the smartphone penetration is anticipated to reach 50.0% of the total population by the end of 2022.

 Saudi Arabia Telehealth Market Size, By Delivery Mode, 2020 - 2030 (USD Million)

The high transmission rate of the COVID-19 virus and associated lockdowns & social distancing norms are the major factors driving the telehealth market. As the governments announced social distancing norms to prevent the spread of infection, the number of visitors and active members on virtual care platforms rapidly increased between 2019 and 2020. Government bodies in MEA are undertaking help from the health tech industry, including telehealth, to control the spread of COVID-19 infection. Both public and private institutions are encouraging people to opt for virtual care and telemedicine platforms for the minor illnesses 

Countries such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE, Kuwait, and South Africa in the region are prospering. Advancements in healthcare systems are expected to bring digital health into action within these countries. Growing digital readiness and increasing expenditure on healthcare IT infrastructure in these countries are driving growth. For instance, Saudi Arabia is focusing on implementing multiple strategies to adopt the digitalization of healthcare, which would significantly transform care delivery & patient experience and support overall efficiency improvement. Kingdom Vision 2030 is an initiative undertaken by the government bodies of Saudi Arabia to bring transformations to the healthcare industry.

With the increasing penetration of smartphones, governments, entrepreneurs, and healthcare professionals are inclining more toward smartphones for better and healthier lifestyles. Some of the segments that could significantly contribute to the MEA digital health industry are offering self-service solutions, adopting virtual solutions wherever feasible & appropriate, automating workflow, paperless-functioning, and adopting decision intelligence systems.

The regional government authorities are devising strategies to promote and adopt telehealth and telemedicine solutions to improve the affordability and accessibility of healthcare. In countries such as Saudi Arabia and the UAE, informative medical apps and telehealth & telemedicine platforms are gaining popularity.

With the increasing adoption of the internet, smart devices, and telemedicine in the field of healthcare, there has been an increase in cyber security issues. There have been incidents of hacking and siphoning of confidential information through connected and smart devices. Owing to data security concerns related to healthcare information, government bodies, healthcare organizations, and experts are hesitating to adopt virtual care solutions on a larger and national scale. Some of the major factors negatively affecting adoption are budget and staffing issues plus lack of proper cyber security systems, firewalls, and expertise in the field.

The MEA healthcare industry faced multiple challenges due to the ongoing pandemic; however, the situation provided a much-needed boost to digital health solutions in the field of disease surveillance, frontline care services, virtual care, and new strategy development. The potential of telehealth technologies got a drastic exposure among healthcare professionals to protect patients and thus, has catalyzed the adoption of these technologies to a significant extent.

For instance, a survey was conducted about telehealth usage during the pandemic for analysis of providers’ perceptions in Saudi Arabia, in December 2021. It stated that 70.0% of the respondents believed telehealth solutions are cost-effective and the majority of the respondents portrayed a favorable attitude toward virtual care.

Outpatient hospital care and primary care are two promising areas in this situation that can be delivered digitally, which has boosted the adoption of virtual care solutions, and thus, we can observe a slight surge in the digital health technology market space, especially in telehealth and mHealth services. Public and private stakeholders of the digital health industry in MEA collaborated to promote the adoption of virtual care and telehealth platforms. Telehealth services and solutions have enhanced providers’ performance as well as efficiency and further allowed them to adopt a more value-based care approach.

The growing shortage of skilled healthcare professionals and workforce coupled with rapidly changing demographics and rising demand for value-based care services in MEA is driving the demand and adoption of telehealth solutions. According to Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation in May 2022, the largest shortfall of care providers and health workers was recorded in the Middle East, North Africa, sub-Saharan Africa, and South Asia.

Similarly, as per the Omnia Health article, it has been estimated that there would be a shortfall of 82,000 nursing staff and 30,000 healthcare professionals in Saudi Arabia by 2030. Saudi Arabia is devising strategies to bridge the shortfall of healthcare professionals by prioritizing nursing and increasing medical education from 5 medical schools to 37 medical schools.

Furthermore, the ratio of healthcare providers to the population rose from 2 per 1,000 individuals to 2.8 per 1,000 individuals. The stakeholders of the healthcare market in MEA are focusing on improving accessibility, quality of care, reducing professional isolation for remotely located care providers, and enhancing overall decision-making.

Cura, Altibbi, McKesson Corporation, Teladoc Health, Cerner Corporation, Siemens Healthineers, Medtronic, and Philips are among the key players operating in this market. For instance, government bodies and the Saudi Arabia Ministry of Health have launched the Saudi Telehealth Network initiative to govern, monitor, promote, support, evaluate, and audit telehealth solutions in the country. Furthermore, the Ministry of Health has developed and launched several smartphone applications to promote the adoption of telehealth solutions.

Some of the applications are Tabaud, Seha, Tawakkalna, and Tetamman. Similarly, some of the other telehealth and virtual care platforms available in MEA are Tiger Connect, TeleRay, Clinicea, Coviu, Amazon Care, and We Counsel. Telehealth companies are involved in strategic partnerships and product launches for market expansion. For instance, in August 2021, Philips launched two innovative offerings-one acute telehealth care tool and the other focused on patient flow capacity to expand its digital suite of healthcare solutions.

Product Type Insights

The service segment dominated the market in 2021 and accounted for the largest revenue share of 46.7%. This can be attributed to rapid advancements in hardware & software and an increase in the number of software upgrades. Moreover, the presence of a large number of service providers is supporting the market growth. Digital health service providers offer a more accurate diagnosis, real-time monitoring of chronic ailments and effective treatment planning, better-coordinated care, and improved patient and provider convenience along with communication.

Furthermore, as healthcare facilities lack the resources and skill sets required for the deployment of digital health solutions, these services are outsourced. Either the complete process is outsourced, or a part of it is in the form of a long-term contract. Services such as installations, education & training, and up gradation are all dependent on the development of these above-mentioned platforms.

On the other hand, the software segment is expected to grow lucratively and record the fastest growth during the forthcoming years. Rapid implementation of electronic health records, electronic patient records, and telemedicine software is driving the segment. Moreover, the rapid adoption of cloud-based technologies is supporting segment growth.

Similarly, the integration of advanced AI-powered software solutions in telehealth and digital health offerings enables healthcare facilities to prioritize care based on emergencies and minimize non-urgent hospital visits. Implementing these advanced software solutions in telehealth programs could enhance patient care experience and improve the quality of data for clinical decision-making.

Delivery Mode Insights

In 2021, the web-based delivery segment accounted for the largest market share of 45.6%. This is attributable to the availability of a large number of web-based telehealth platforms in the region. High usage rates of web-based platforms among providers and patients are contributing to segment revenue. Limited accessibility and the need to download an application to access telehealth services restrain the segment growth rate. The use of web-based systems significantly reduces operational hassles owing to the processing of large volumes of data. The Cost-effectiveness and seamless user interface of web-based telehealth solutions are contributing to the growth of the segment.

On the other hand, the cloud-based delivery mode of telehealth applications is anticipated to grow rapidly in the region and register the fastest growth rate during the forecast period owing to the various advantages offered by cloud-based telehealth applications such as high bandwidth, true remote accessibility, easy data recovery & storage, and better data privacy & security.

Furthermore, the cloud-based delivery mode offers better interoperability and integration. These applications and platforms are easier to deploy and provide users with higher efficiency & convenience. Growing IT infrastructure needs, changing business requirements, information sharing, and improved patient engagement are the factors supporting the development and growth of this segment.

End-Use Insights

In 2021, the provider segment accounted for the largest market share of 53.2%. Healthcare providers are increasingly adopting telehealth platforms to reduce the burden on hospital infrastructure and staff. Moreover, the demand for quality care from a rapidly growing population is increasing. Furthermore, COVID-19 significantly contributed to the need for virtual care solutions and supported the widespread adoption of telehealth among healthcare providers.

Healthcare facilities and care providers are witnessing improvements in workflow management and clinical outcomes through seamless access to patient health information, real-time patient monitoring & reporting, and improved data-driven decision-making. Virtual care services and solutions have enhanced providers’ performance and efficiency, allowing them to adopt a more value-based care approach.

 Middle East & Africa Telehealth Market Share, by End-Use, 2021 (%)

On the other hand, the patient segment is expected to record the fastest growth rate during the forecast period owing to the growing demand for personalized treatment, adoption of patient-centric care delivery systems, growing health-consciousness, increase in technology-friendly individuals, improving internet connectivity & smartphone penetration.

Numerous strategies have been planned and implemented to bridge the communication and care delivery gaps between patient and provider. Middle Eastern and African countries witnessed a significant rise in active users and website visits on telehealth platforms during the pandemic. Furthermore, the promotion of telehealth platforms by local government bodies is driving the growth of the patients segment.

Regional Insights

In 2021, UAE dominated the Middle East and Africa telehealth market and accounted for the largest revenue share of 25.3% and is anticipated to register the fastest growth during the forthcoming years. The UAE is one of the most promising markets for digital healthcare and telehealth platforms. Factors such as government aid to innovative start-ups and significant funding by the government to promote telehealth are propelling market growth in the country.

For instance, the UAE led the Middle Eastern region in digital health funding with an investment of ~USD 232 million from 2014 to 2016. Healthcare start-ups in the country raised ~USD 11.5 billion in 2018. Similarly, in March 2020, the UAE Ministry of Health & Prevention and Du, a telecom provider collaborated to set up one of a kind of virtual hospital, offering telemedicine solutions to patients in remote locations.

In July 2020, Mulk Healthcare based in UAE launched the first e-hospital application offering global telehealth services. Several healthcare professionals and researchers in the UAE are embracing telehealth platforms, thereby bringing a revolution within the UAE healthcare industry. Another example, Mubadala Development Company, an investment company owned by the UAE government, which has partnered with Med gate, a Swiss company, to establish Abu Dhabi’s telemedicine center.

Key Companies & Market Share Insights

The region is focusing on strategies to spread awareness towards adopting and implementing telehealth and virtual care platforms amongst patients, care providers, and other industry stakeholders. For instance, the 3rd Annual MENA (Middle East and North Africa) Telehealth Conference was combined with the 26th International Society for Telemedicine and eHealth (ISfTeH) Conference in March 2022 held in Dubai.

This event would offer attendees the global evolving scenario of telehealth and digital health in terms of business models, improving healthcare outcomes, and regulations. Similarly, in March 2022, Altibbi, a renowned AI-powered digital health platform in Middle East raised USD 44 million in Series B funding round and the company would utilize this funding to establish an end-to-end integrated digital primary health solution.

Furthermore, to promote the adoption of telehealth platforms and virtual care solutions across the region, the Ministry of Health launched the Saudi Telehealth Network initiative and smartphone applications, such as Tawakkalna, Tetamman, Seha, and Tabaud to deliver care services in remote locations. These market competitors are focusing on expanding their clientele through innovative product launches or by collaborating with renowned players.

For instance, in March 2021, Philips partnered with Orbita, Inc., a provider of conversational AI-based algorithms and solutions for healthcare. The two companies under this partnership would co-develop innovative conversational virtual assistants to enhance Philip’s patient support and consumer health applications. Similarly, in August 2020, Cerner teamed up with Amazon to create Amazon Halo, a service that allows consumers to connect with their medical team for virtual health and well-being data sharing. Some of the prominent players in the Middle East and Africa telehealth market include:

  • Teladoc Health

  • McKesson Corporation

  • Altibbi

  • Koninklijke Philips N.V.

  • Siemens Healthineers

  • Medtronic,

  • Cura

  • Cerner Corporation

  • CISCO Systems, Inc.

Middle East And Africa Telehealth Market Report Scope

Report Attribute

Details

Market size value in 2022

USD 3.4 billion

Revenue forecast in 2030

USD 22.0 billion

Growth rate

CAGR of 26.3% from 2022 to 2030

Base year for estimation

2021

Historical data

2016 - 2020

Forecast period

2022 - 2030

Quantitative units

Revenue in USD million, CAGR from 2022 to 2030

Report coverage

Revenue, company ranking, competitive landscape, growth factors,   trends

Segments covered

Product type, delivery mode, end-use, country

Country scope

Saudi Arabia; UAE; South Africa

Key companies profiled

Koninklijke Philips N.V; Siemens Healthineers; Cerner Corporation; Medtronic PLC; Cura; Altibbi; McKesson Corporation; eClinicalWorks; CISCO Systems, Inc.; Teladoc Health.

Customization scope

Free report customization (equivalent to up to 8 analyst’s working days) with purchase. Addition or alteration to country, regional & segment scope.

Pricing and purchase options

Avail of customized purchase options to meet your exact research needs. Explore purchase options

 

Middle East And Africa Telehealth Market Segmentation

This report forecasts revenue growth at the country levels and provides an analysis of industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2016 to 2030. For this study, Grand View Research, Inc. has segmented the Middle East and Africa telehealth market report based on the product type, delivery mode, end-use, and countries:

Middle East And Africa Telehealth Market Segmentation

  • Middle East & Africa Telehealth Product Type Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2030)

    • Hardware

      • Monitors

      • Medical Peripheral Devices

        • Blood Pressure Meters

        • Blood Glucose Meters

        • Weighing Scales

        • Pulse Oximeters

        • Peak Flow Meters

        • ECG Monitors

        • Others

    • Software

      • Standalone Software

      • Integrated Software

    • Services

      • Remote Patient Monitoring

      • Real-Time Interactions

      • Store And Forward

      • Others

  • Middle East & Africa Telehealth Delivery Mode Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2030)

    • Web-Based

    • Cloud-Based

    • On-Premises

  • Middle East & Africa Telehealth End-Use Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2030)

    • Providers

    • Payers

    • Patients

  • Middle East & Africa Telehealth Country Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2030)

    • Saudi Arabia

    • UAE

    • South Africa

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