Saudi Minister of Health Fahd bin Abdurrahman Al-Jalajel launched a licensing initiative for medical software developers on Tuesday. It is a major step in advancing digital health in the Kingdom.

The initiative, unveiled during the Global Health Exhibition in Riyadh which began this week, aims to streamline the use of software in medical diagnosis, treatment and decision-making processes.

A launch event was attended by key figures in the Saudi health sector, including Saudi Food and Drug Authority CEO Hisham S. Al-Jadhey.

The initiative will allow innovators, research centers and investors to develop and implement advanced medical software in the Kingdom without establishing physical manufacturing facilities.