Belgian healthcare consultancy Hict launches in Saudi Arabia

Belgian healthcare consultancy Hict has launched an on the ground presence in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. 

Hict – founded in 2004 – has been active in the Middle East region with fly-in teams (and a flexible hub) for more than twelve years, delivering a multitude of healthcare projects. The Gent-based firm specialises in strategy, process improvement, capacity planning and change management, and works for hospitals, healthcare providers, suppliers and public institutions. 

The consulting firm, with around 70 consultants and staff a boutique player, gained somewhat of a national reputation following its expert role during the Kingdom's Covid-19 vaccination campaign. The Ministry of Health called in a number of consulting firm to help it with the development and roll-out of the campaign, with Hict asked to serve as a subject matter expert by Ascend, the lead consultants to the roll-out.

“Our goal is to participate in the ambitious healthcare transformation programs expressed in the Vision 2030 of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” explained Jan Demey, the chief executive officer of Hict. 

To meet this ambition, the firm has now launched a Riyadh office, which will serve the domestic market and operate as the regional headquarter for the Middle East. “The new Riyadh office is an excellent staging ground to bring years of experience and commitment to optimising healthcare to the Middle East.” 

Asked about how Hict differentiates itself in a crowded market, the chief executive stated, “Hict’s unique value proposition brings deep healthcare knowledge with a blending of Western-European expertise and local knowledge.” 

Already a partner of major players in Saudi’s healthcare market such as Ascend, MIS and Samir Group, Hict aims to “further develop these partnerships and connect with other providers”, said Demey.

In related news, last year another specialised and boutique European healthcare consultancy launched in the Middle East: GS Health. The firm was founded in the Netherlands in 2005 by a former Arthur D. Little and Roland Berger consultant.