Al-Dawaa Medical Services clinches wins at the Middle East Management Excellence and National Business Awards 2024

The company was recognised for introducing a digital platform to educate its audience on healthcare information and for launching the first self-service prescription refill kiosk in the region.

Retail pharmacy chain Al-Dawaa Medical Services was honoured with the Saudi Arabia Health and Wellness Initiative of the Year - Healthcare accolade at the Middle East Management Excellence Awards 2024 for their podcast, “Dawaa Talk,” which plays a pivotal role in disseminating healthcare knowledge, addressing both physical and mental well-being.

Meanwhile, the implementation of the first-of-its-kind innovative self-service prescription refill kiosk in the region won the Healthcare category at the Middle East National Business Awards 2024, further underscoring the company’s commitment to quality healthcare services.

Influential healthcare platform

In an era where accurate health information is crucial, Al-Dawaa Pharmacy launched the “Dawaa Talk” podcast to revolutionise health and wellness communication. By creating a platform for expert and consultant dialogue and engaging storytelling, “Dawaa Talk” empowers individuals to take charge of their health, fostering a healthier and well-informed community in the Middle East.

“Dawaa Talk” aims to bridge the gap between medical knowledge and public understanding. Featuring a diverse panel of doctors, it covers topics such as preventive care, chronic diseases, mental health, and geriatrics. Powered by Dawaok’s cutting-edge technology and Al-Dawaa Pharmacy’s commitment to community health, the podcast provides a dynamic platform for continuous learning and health awareness.

The name “Dawaa Talk” reflects Al-Dawaa Medical Services' commitment to impactful communication and meaningful dialogue in healthcare. It highlights the organisation’s dedication to providing expert insights and valuable health information.

“Dawaa Talk” was launched with the aim of improving community well-being through accessible and reliable healthcare information. The podcast achieves this through several key initiatives. It features expert interviews with a range of healthcare professionals, providing advice on topics from preventive care to mental health. It also uses storytelling and real-life case studies to make complex medical information engaging and relatable.

Additionally, “Dawaa Talk” offers content that addresses seasonal and topical health concerns, ensuring relevance and timeliness. Interactive formats, including Q&A sessions and social media engagement, further enhance audience participation and health awareness.

The effectiveness of “Dawaa Talk” is measured by listener engagement, social media metrics, and collaborations with healthcare organisations. The podcast has partnered with local companies to advance health awareness campaigns, amplifying its reach and impact.

Al-Dawaa Medical Services has excelled in health education through its “Dawaa Talk” platform, reaching over 108 million listeners with a 95% satisfaction rate. This success highlights the platform’s effectiveness and its strong community engagement. Al-Dawaa’s collaborations with healthcare professionals and organisations have further boosted its impact.

Furthermore, the podcast has enhanced employee health literacy, bolstered the company’s reputation as a leader in health communication, fostered valuable partnerships with the healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors, and educated millions on diverse health topics, establishing itself as a trusted source of information and empowering individuals to make informed health decisions.

With “Dawaa Talk” achieving notable success in enhancing healthcare communication in the Middle East, Al-Dawaa Medical Services won the Saudi Arabia Health and Wellness Initiative of the Year - Healthcare accolade at the Middle East Management Excellence Awards 2024.

Self-service kiosk revolutionises traditional pharmacies

As the first of its kind in the Middle East, Al-Dawaa Medical Services’ self-service prescription refill kiosk features a user-friendly and intuitive interface, designed to be accessible for patients of all ages and technical backgrounds. The integration of mobile notifications provides patients with timely updates on their prescription status.

The success of the kiosk is reflected in its high customer adoption rate, with some locations experiencing a remarkable increase in usage of over 700% within just two months. Thousands of pharmacy users are now benefitting from the convenience and ease of this self-service option, setting new standards for how other providers might offer similar access to services.

Customers have reported significant time savings using the self-service kiosks, leading to increased satisfaction and loyalty. This enhanced convenience has bolstered the brand's reputation and potentially increased customer retention rates. Furthermore, the kiosks have alleviated the workload on pharmacy staff, allowing them to concentrate on delivering personalised care to customers with more complex needs.

The adaptability of the self-service kiosks highlights Al-Dawaa’s forward-thinking approach. The design caters to a diverse customer base, accommodating varying technical skills and evolving preferences, ensuring the kiosks remain relevant and usable. Al-Dawaa’s commitment to data-driven optimisation further enhances the service, as monitoring kiosk usage provides valuable insights for continuous improvement.

By integrating innovation, effectiveness, and dynamism, Al-Dawaa Pharmacies has set new benchmarks for customer convenience, operational efficiency, and service excellence in the Saudi Arabian healthcare market. This achievement earned them the Healthcare category at the Middle East National Business Awards 2024.

The Middle East Management Excellence Awards and the Middle East National Business Awards, presented by Asian Business Review, cultivate and sustain global institutional and leadership competitiveness. These prestigious awards programmes honour outstanding initiatives and projects of local companies across diverse industries throughout the region.

The Middle East Management Excellence Awards and the Middle East National Business Awards is presented by Asian Business Review Magazine. Click here for the full list of winners of the Middle East Management Excellence Awards and here for the winners of Middle East National Business Awards winners. If you want to join the 2025 awards programme and be acclaimed for your company's employee engagements and management initiatives, please contact Jane Patiag at [email protected].