Princess Dr. Haya bint Khaled bin Bandar Al Saud, Senior Vice President of Research at Hevolution, emphasized that prevention-focused healthcare is no longer optional but essential for global well-being and economic resilience.

Speaking during the launch of the foundation’s second Global Healthspan Report in Riyadh, she highlighted that modern medicine must move beyond responding to illness and instead focus on delaying or preventing disease altogether.

She stressed that this transformation should begin early, particularly in the education and training of healthcare professionals, ensuring that prevention and healthy aging are embedded as core medical priorities.

Equally important, she noted, is raising public awareness so individuals understand that healthspan science directly affects everyone, regardless of geography, income, or background.

The Global Healthspan Report calls for coordinated international action to position healthy aging as both a social responsibility and an economic imperative that supports productivity and sustainable growth.

Healthspan science, which focuses on extending the years people live in good health rather than simply increasing lifespan, is emerging as a defining frontier in global healthcare innovation.

The report identifies five key forces shaping this new era, including rising public awareness, scientific breakthroughs, artificial intelligence and data transformation, growing investment momentum, and urgent economic and policy considerations.

While momentum is building, the findings make clear that progress will require strong leadership and collaboration among scientists, policymakers, investors, and public institutions worldwide.

Princess Dr. Haya underlined that healthspan investments must serve the broader public, ensuring that scientific advancements translate into accessible benefits rather than remaining limited to select populations.

Survey data across 23 countries revealed that awareness of healthspan is rapidly increasing, with two-thirds of healthcare professionals now receiving regular patient inquiries about preventive and longevity-focused interventions.

At the same time, the report highlights growing expectations for government involvement, with 80 percent of citizens believing preventive healthcare programs should be publicly funded.

Concerns about inequality remain, as nearly four in ten respondents expressed worry that access to healthspan innovations may not be evenly distributed across societies.

Artificial intelligence is expected to play a transformative role, with a majority of experts believing it will significantly reshape healthspan research and healthcare delivery in the coming years.

However, ethical concerns and trust gaps persist, particularly around the use of AI in diagnostics, signaling the need for transparent regulation and public engagement.

From an investment perspective, healthspan funding has accelerated rapidly, with global investments more than doubling in recent years as confidence in the field matures.

Investment in healthspan reached more than $7 billion in 2024, reflecting strong belief in its potential to deliver both health outcomes and long-term economic returns.

Hevolution Foundation has positioned itself as a global leader in this space, committing hundreds of millions of dollars to research grants, partnerships, and biotechnology ventures.

According to the report, expanding preventive care and healthspan innovation could generate up to $220 billion annually in productivity gains, with every dollar invested in prevention yielding significant returns.

Founded to extend healthy human lifespan for all, Hevolution continues to advance independent research, entrepreneurship, and global collaboration from its headquarters in Riyadh and its international hubs.

Under the inspiring theme “Invest in Health,” the event brings together experts, innovators, and thought leaders from more than 130 countries to share ideas and showcase cutting-edge advancements shaping the medical world.

The Makkah Health Cluster’s participation is a reflection of Saudi Arabia’s commitment to healthcare transformation in alignment with Vision 2030.

This national vision emphasizes the modernization of healthcare systems, integration of advanced technologies, and creation of a sustainable health infrastructure that benefits citizens and residents alike.

The cluster’s innovative use of artificial intelligence stands as a powerful example of how smart technologies are making healthcare faster, more efficient, and more patient-centered.

One of the cluster’s most celebrated innovations at the exhibition is the iSelfie project, a revolutionary AI-based health assessment tool that utilizes photoplethysmography (PPG) technology.

This innovative approach allows for the rapid evaluation of a patient’s vital signs by simply analyzing facial features through a camera, making the process non-invasive, accurate, and highly efficient.

Traditionally, emergency departments required an average of seven minutes per patient assessment; however, with iSelfie, that time has been cut down to just two minutes.

This represents a 70 percent reduction in time, dramatically improving emergency department efficiency and patient flow.

The cluster’s efforts are not only focused on innovation but also on cost-efficiency and sustainability. Through the introduction of its smart vital signs project, Makkah Health Cluster plans to implement AI-powered solutions across 14 hospitals and 15 primary healthcare centers.

This initiative is expected to save SR120,000 ($32,000) annually by replacing traditional Dynamap devices with automated digital tools.

Beyond the financial savings, the initiative aims to enhance workflow management, allowing healthcare professionals to spend more time providing direct patient care instead of manual data collection and monitoring.

Moreover, this transformation has a significant impact on workforce optimization. By incorporating AI automation, the project is projected to reduce nursing costs by SR15.3 million annually and enhance operational efficiency by up to 50 percent, all while maintaining high-quality healthcare standards.

These advancements reflect how digital transformation is empowering healthcare institutions to deliver better outcomes with fewer resources, making healthcare more sustainable in the long run.

The integration of AI within healthcare is one of the core priorities of Vision 2030, which envisions a digitally advanced, patient-driven health system.

The innovations presented by Makkah Health Cluster directly support this mission by improving accessibility, enhancing diagnostic accuracy, and promoting self-care through technology.

These projects are reshaping how healthcare is delivered in Saudi Arabia—making it more proactive, predictive, and personalized.

The Global Health Exhibition serves as an essential platform for global collaboration, featuring over 100 dialogue sessions and workshops dedicated to the future of healthcare.

Topics range from artificial intelligence and biotechnology to health investments and sustainable medical practices.

Experts and participants from around the world are engaging in meaningful discussions about how AI can redefine patient care, streamline hospital management, and address pressing healthcare challenges across different regions.

Makkah Health Cluster’s participation highlights the Kingdom’s growing influence in global health innovation.

By sharing its pioneering projects and success stories, the cluster demonstrates how Saudi healthcare institutions are becoming models of excellence, blending innovation with compassion.

These initiatives underscore a collective vision—one that looks beyond traditional healthcare systems toward a smarter, healthier, and more connected future.

Ultimately, the Makkah Health Cluster’s showcase at the Riyadh expo reflects not only technological progress but also a deep commitment to improving lives.

Through AI-driven innovation, efficiency gains, and dedication to patient-centered care, the cluster is helping Saudi Arabia position itself as a global leader in digital health transformation, paving the way for a new era of accessible, intelligent, and sustainable healthcare solutions for all.