The development of health systems and policies in Türkiye and Saudi Arabia: A comparative study between 1960 and 2020

This study sought to compare Saudi Arabia's and Türkiye's health systems from 1960 to 2020. A comparative approach was used, using historical data, such as demographic information, life expectancy, infant mortality rate, urban and rural population, as well as the number of health professionals and the number of individuals per health professional. The budget of the Ministry of Health was also reviewed. From the state budget, gross domestic product, the number of hospitals and beds, and their distribution between the private and public sectors in each country. The study reached a number of conclusions, including that Türkiye and Saudi Arabia have made major changes in healthcare to make it better and more accessible over the past 60 years. The way healthcare is paid for differs, as Türkiye has a universal system and Saudi Arabia uses public and private insurance. Access to healthcare services has become easier now in both countries, but there are still problems in obtaining affordable and available treatment. Improving the quality of healthcare and maintaining patient safety are important focuses in both countries. They are investing in new infrastructure and technology. And healthcare systems in Türkiye and Saudi Arabia have their own unique characteristics. They face challenges in providing high-quality, affordable health care. Keywords: Health System, Health Policies, Health Indicators, Health Service, Health Service Quality