Saudi Arabia Introduces World's First Digital Diabetes Command Centre to Strengthen Chronic Care
Saudi Arabia has introduced the World's First Digital Diabetes Command Centre to support real-time management of diabetes across the country. The announcement was made on October 28, 2025, during the Global Health Exhibition in Riyadh by Minister of Health, Fahad Al-Jalajel. The centre is housed at the Riyadh Exhibition and Convention Centre in Malham and is part of the country’s ongoing effort to improve long-term disease care.
The centre works by gathering health data from individuals living with diabetes and displaying it on a digital platform where healthcare teams can monitor trends closely. Key indicators such as blood glucose readings and vital signs can be observed remotely. The intention is to detect changes early, intervene faster, and reduce preventable complications, while also decreasing the need for frequent hospital visits.
Saudi Arabia’s Diabetes Care Strategy
The project is led by the Ministry of Health, with clinical teams that include doctors, nurses, diabetes educators, and digital health technicians. Patients who use connected devices, such as glucometers or wearable sensors, can have their readings transmitted securely to the centre. When values move outside recommended limits, the system sends alerts so that healthcare providers can review the situation and advise the patient without delay.
Why Innovations in Diabetes Monitoring Are Needed
Diabetes is a chronic condition in which the body is unable to regulate blood glucose effectively. This can occur because the pancreas does not produce insulin sufficiently or because the body does not respond to insulin properly. Over time, uncontrolled blood glucose can affect multiple organs, leading to complications such as kidney disease, nerve damage, cardiovascular problems, and vision impairment. With type 2 diabetes particularly common in Saudi Arabia, regular monitoring and timely intervention are essential parts of care.
Nationwide Implementation and Access
The centre was launched as part of broader reforms aimed at shifting healthcare from a treatment-focused model to one that emphasizes prevention and early intervention. The digital platform is planned for use across the country. Patients will be enrolled through hospitals and primary health centers to ensure broad and continuous monitoring coverage.
How the Monitoring System Functions
Health data sent from patient devices is collected and organized into dashboards that healthcare teams can access. This allows clinicians to track patterns, respond to emerging risks, and make treatment decisions earlier than in traditional in-person models. The system also supports patient awareness, helping individuals understand how their daily habits influence their glucose control.
Potential Implications for Global Chronic Care Models
Digital disease monitoring systems of this scale are still uncommon. If the approach in Saudi Arabia leads to improvements in outcomes, such as fewer emergency admissions or more stable glucose levels, it may provide a framework that other countries can adopt. The initiative reflects a shift toward long-term, digitally supported chronic care suited to conditions that require ongoing monitoring.
(Rh/Eth/SS/MSM)
