The Role of Medical Laboratories in Early Disease Detection: Supporting Preventive Healthcare Initiatives in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Medical laboratories play a crucial role in early disease detection, which is essential for effective preventive healthcare strategies. In Saudi Arabia, the healthcare system has undergone significant reforms in recent years, with an increasing emphasis on preventive care and early intervention. This systematic review aims to explore the role of medical laboratories in supporting preventive healthcare initiatives in Saudi Arabia, focusing on their contributions to early disease detection, surveillance, and population health management. A comprehensive search of electronic databases, including PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, was conducted to identify relevant studies published between 2000 and 2023. The search strategy employed a combination of keywords related to medical laboratories, early disease detection, preventive healthcare, and Saudi Arabia. A total of 42 studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the review. The findings highlight the critical role of medical laboratories in various aspects of preventive healthcare in Saudi Arabia, including screening for chronic diseases, infectious disease surveillance, and genetic testing for hereditary disorders. The review also identifies several challenges and opportunities for enhancing the contribution of medical laboratories to preventive healthcare, such as the need for standardization of laboratory procedures, integration of laboratory data with electronic health records, and capacity building of laboratory professionals. The findings of this review have significant implications for policymakers, healthcare organizations, and laboratory professionals in Saudi Arabia, emphasizing the need for strategic investments and initiatives to strengthen the role of medical laboratories in supporting preventive healthcare and early disease detection.