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The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) held a panel discussion titled “Pulse of Numbers: Statistical Data in the Service of Health” as part of “Road to Riyadh” events, with the participation of a distinguished group of leaders and experts from GASTAT, the Ministry of Health, the Public Health Authority, and the WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean.
The session discussed the pivotal role of statistical data in supporting decision-making in the healthcare sector by enhancing the quality and reliability of health indicators, advancing data governance practices, and strengthening integration among relevant entities, thereby improving the efficiency of health planning. It also addressed the role of advanced technologies in developing health systems and improving data accessibility, as participants reviewed prominent experiences and practices in this field.
Participants also addressed investment in modern technologies and the qualitative leap it has achieved in health data analysis, as well as the role of artificial intelligence, which has become a key enabler in supporting data-driven healthcare decision-making.
Participants highlighted Saudi Arabia’s achievement of advanced levels of international recognition for the quality of its health data, noting that improvements in mortality data quality have contributed to increasing life expectancy. They also indicated that health data has helped reshape a more comprehensive understanding of the health status in Saudi Arabia through the integration of statistical data with administrative records, as well as the role of field surveys in achieving more accurate population representation.
It is noteworthy that this session is part of GASTAT’s efforts to highlight the statistical progress witnessed by Saudi Arabia under Saudi Vision 2030, as well as to enhance preparedness and coordination for hosting the 6th UNWDF 2026, scheduled to take place next November.

The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) organizes a panel discussion titled “Pulse of Numbers: Statistical Data in the Service of Health” on Tuesday, April 7, 2026. The session is part of “Road to Riyadh” event series, organized in preparation for Saudi Arabia’s hosting of the 6th UNWDF, scheduled to take place in Riyadh next November.
This session is part of efforts to strengthen the role of statistical data in supporting the national healthcare system by enhancing the quality and reliability of health statistics and advancing data governance practices, thereby improving the efficiency of health-related decision-making and strengthening the sector’s ability to respond to emerging health challenges.
The session addresses several key themes, including the role of advanced technologies in shaping the future of healthcare, strengthening the measurement of health indicators to support sustainable development, and improving access to and governance of health data. The session features several leaders and experts, including Dr. Abdullah Mufreh Asiri, Dr. Abdulaziz Mohammed Al-Rabiah, Eng. Saad Abdulatif Alhuzami, Dr. Ada Mohammed Al-Qunaibet, Dr. Omar Saleh Aldibasi, and Dr. Arash Rashidian. The session is opened by Dr. Fatimah Al Waef, General Supervisor of Social Statistics at GASTAT, and moderated by Dr. Arwa Mohammed Alameenn, Director General of the General Department of Statistics and Information at the Ministry of Health.
It is noteworthy that this session is part of an integrated series of events including panel discussions, conferences, and workshops organized by GASTAT under “Road to Riyadh” events. These events aim to highlight the statistical advances underway in Saudi Arabia under Saudi Vision 2030 and to enhance coordination and readiness for hosting the Forum next November.
 

The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) has announced the list of teams qualified for the final stage of the Data Innovation Hackathon. The first phase, covering outreach and screening, was launched on 15 February, alongside the official website and the reception of executive summaries of ideas. The hackathon aims to empower innovators and experts to address challenges related to the collection and processing of national statistical data.
The list of qualified teams includes 16 teams out of a total of 132 participating teams, with 8 teams selected for the “Innovative data collection” track, leveraging non-traditional data sources, and 8 teams for the “Intelligent processing and classification” track through the application of artificial intelligence technologies.
The final results are expected to be announced on April 15, following the virtual judging of the presentations. GASTAT will host a ceremony to honor the winners and award prizes totaling SAR 75,000.
It is noteworthy that the Data Innovation Hackathon is part of “Road to Riyadh” series of events organized by GASTAT in preparation for hosting the 6th UNWDF next November. The initiative aims to highlight Saudi Arabia’s readiness and the significant statistical development it is witnessing under Saudi Vision 2030.