Q&A interview with Eng. Ali Sheneamer, Chief Business Development Officer at Bupa Arabia, and Dr. Abdullah Khafagy, Executive Director – Medical, Bupa Arabia, KSA

Bupa Arabia recently participated in Money20/20 in Riyadh, using the high-profile fintech event to underscore its commitment to digital transformation and to showcase its advanced digital health technologies, including virtual clinics and AI-powered customised preventive programmes.

Eng. Ali Sheneamer, Chief Business Development Officer at Bupa Arabia, and Dr. Abdullah Khafagy, Executive Director – Medical, Bupa Arabia, KSA, shared insights into the company’s digital health initiatives and its plans for Saudi Arabia.

Can you share how Bupa Arabia is bridging fintech and healthtech, and what that means for the future of digital healthcare?

Bupa Arabia’s participation at Money 20/20 Middle East 2025 reflects its firm commitment to integrating financial technology with healthcare. Through CareConnect, Bupa Arabia’s healthcare arm, fintech-inspired efficiency is combined with healthtech innovation, enabling instant access to care, the removal of prior approvals in select hospitals, and seamless digital navigation. This integration transforms the patient journey into one that is faster, more transparent, and more customer-friendly, aligning fully with Saudi Vision 2030 goals.

Similarly, how do you protect against fraud across your digital platforms, particularly in claims and patient data handling?

Integration between financial and healthcare systems further enhances operational reliability, strengthens fraud prevention, and improves operational efficiency while reducing costs, positively reflecting on service quality and innovation. Bupa’s adoption of artificial intelligence in analysing patient data has helped elevate the quality of medical care and improve customer experience, by enabling faster access to services, accelerating medical procedures, and ensuring the highest levels of privacy and data protection.

Bridging fintech and healthtech is no small feat. How do you ensure your tools and applications stay up-to-date and user-friendly for a diverse user base?

We ensure our tools remain advanced and user-friendly through strategic collaborations with leading global technology providers such as Oracle, Microsoft, and CNTXT (Google’s exclusive partner), as well as regional and local companies. These partnerships allow us to integrate the latest digital solutions and artificial intelligence technologies into the patient journey. At the same time, our applications are supported by intelligent classification and digital navigation, offering access across multiple channels and making the experience smooth, flexible, and easy to use for all members.

You’ve recently announced strategic partnerships with organisations such as Universal Health Services (UHS), Nabed, CNTXT, InterSystems, Oracle, Microsoft, Elm, Masdar, LeanTech, and Thiqa. How do these collaborations help advance your broader vision for healthcare innovation in Saudi Arabia?

At Money 20/20, we announced partnerships with global and regional leaders including CNTXT (Google’s exclusive partner in KSA), Oracle, Microsoft, Elm, LeanTech, and Masdar. These collaborations strengthen digital infrastructure, expand AI and cloud capabilities, and integrate predictive analytics into healthcare delivery. The partnerships are designed to support Vision 2030 by embedding advanced technologies across the entire patient journey from prevention and early detection to treatment and recovery.

Data protection is a major concern in digital health. How do you ensure robust privacy and security across your digital ecosystem?

Bupa Arabia leverages artificial intelligence and smart digital solutions not only for efficiency but also to maintain confidentiality and security of patient data. By embedding advanced technologies into CareConnect, the company ensures patient data is safeguarded while enabling accurate diagnosis, tailored treatment, and faster procedures—all aligned with Saudi Vision 2030’s emphasis on secure digital transformation.

In what ways are your digital health initiatives aligned with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, particularly in terms of digital transformation and improving national health outcomes?

Bupa Arabia’s digital health initiatives directly contribute to Vision 2030 by digitising access to care, expanding preventive services, and enhancing healthcare system efficiency. CareConnect enables a patient-centered model, with virtual clinics, chronic care programmes, and smart monitoring. These initiatives improve satisfaction, strengthen trust, and create a future-ready healthcare ecosystem that advances national health outcomes.

Looking ahead, what future digital health initiatives or innovations is Bupa Arabia planning to further enhance healthcare access, quality, and efficiency in Saudi Arabia?

Future initiatives will build upon CareConnect’s success in telehealth, chronic care, and digital clinics by further expanding preventive healthcare programmes and integrating advanced AI-driven insights. The aim is to continue shortening waiting times, personalising care plans, and enhancing resilience in the healthcare system, ultimately enabling healthier, longer, and happier lives for Bupa Arabia’s members.