Bupa Arabia to open first integrated clinic by 2025-end, add more in 2026: CFO

Bupa Arabia for Cooperative Insurance Co. Chief Financial Officer Hatem Jamal

Bupa Arabia for Cooperative Insurance Co.'s Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Hatim Jamal said that the company's subsidiary is expanding its digital clinics to provide remote primary care services.

The first integrated clinic will open in Riyadh by the end of 2025, followed by the opening of several new clinics in 2026, he told Argaam.

Jamal added that providing healthcare services alongside health insurance does not mean the company is in direct competition with healthcare providers.

Health insurance and healthcare sectors go hand in hand, he said, adding that Bupa Arabia is keen to strengthen its partnerships with both the public and private sectors.

He also stated that Bupa Arabia is working to build vertical integration between health insurance and healthcare through its subsidiary, Horizon Medical Services, better known as Bupa Integrated Care, which began operations in 2024 after regulatory amendments enabled insurance companies to engage in healthcare activities.

The move reflects the global business model of Bupa Group, which focuses on healthcare and health insurance. It aims to improve beneficiaries’ experience and enhance the efficiency of resource management, in line with the principles of “Wise Health”, the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, and the Healthcare Sector Transformation Program, the CFO said.

He pointed out that the new structure is purely regulatory in nature, emphasizing that it has no financial impact on the company’s business.

“Rather, it comes as part of the strategic direction toward integrated healthcare, unifying activities under the holding company’s umbrella in line with the supervisory entities’ requirements for each activity,” he added.

Regarding the timeline for completing the company’s restructuring, Jamal indicated that Bupa Arabia is currently working with advisory firms to finalize the proposal, which will be presented to shareholders for a vote. Thereafter, the remaining regulatory requirements will be finalized.

He said new developments in this regard will be disclosed in due course.