Report Overview

The Saudi Arabia medical gloves market is driven by increasing awareness towards health and hygiene and stringent government regulations regarding the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) to prevent the risks of cross-contamination among healthcare workers and patients.

Saudi Arabia Medical Gloves Market- Industry Trends & Forecast Report 2028

The Saudi Arabia medical gloves market was worth USD 115.6 million in 2021 and is further projected to reach USD 216.4 million by the year 2028, growing at the CAGR of 9.4% in the forecast period (2022-2028). The demand for medical gloves is surging at a high rate in Saudi Arabia because of the increasing awareness of health and hygiene and stringent government regulations regarding the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) to prevent the risks of cross-contamination among healthcare workers and patients. Furthermore, increasing demand for surgical procedures is anticipated to drive the Saudi Arabia medical gloves market growth during the forecast period.

Medical Gloves – A Brief Overview

Medical gloves are a part of personal protective equipment (PPE) for healthcare professionals and workers during medical examinations and surgical procedures. They prevent the risk of cross-contamination between caregivers and patients besides protecting doctors and nurses from blood, pus, and other bodily fluids. A few infections can be transmitted through the blood or through the mixing of blood with body fluids, such as saliva. Such infections are called blood-borne viruses (BBVs). A person's risk of transferring an infection in this way is largely dependent on the infection type and how the person is exposed to the infected blood. Therefore, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that healthcare workers wear medical gloves during all patient-care activities that involve blood or other bodily fluids. Medical gloves are made of various types of materials including rubber, latex, polyvinyl chloride, and neoprene.

Saudi Arabia Medical Gloves Market Forecast and Trends

Growth Drivers

Rising Demand for Surgical Procedures

The demand for various invasive and non-invasive surgical procedures is increasing at a high rate in Saudi Arabia mainly due to the increasing burden of various chronic diseases and the rising geriatric population. The surgeries involve incisions on the body as well as the transfer of body fluids, such as blood, during the procedures, which increases the risk of cross-contamination between patients and surgeons. As a result, strict use of medical gloves is recommended during such procedures, due to which the demand for medical gloves is increasing at a high rate in Saudi Arabia, propelling the overall market growth.

Growing Burden of Infectious Diseases

Various organizations, including the World Health Organization and The Lancet, have raised concerns surrounding the growing burden of infectious diseases. Communicable diseases, such as swine flu, elephantiasis, dengue fever, measles, etc., are getting increasingly common in Saudi Arabia, according to the Ministry of Health. This is anticipated to raise the demand for examination and diagnostic tests in the country. As a result, the demand for medical gloves for doctors and other healthcare workers will rise during the forecast period, driving the market growth.

Restraints

Defects in Medical Gloves

Medical gloves are used by healthcare workers to ensure protection from pathogens as well as body fluids. Nevertheless, defective medical gloves with holes and punctures have been reported in Saudi Arabia, putting healthcare workers as well as patients at risk of cross-contamination. The defects in medical gloves are mainly because of the lack of quality standards checks during production procedures. This may sabotage the growth of the Saudi Arabia medical gloves market during the forecast period.

Impact of COVID-19 on Saudi Arabia Medical Gloves Market

The demand for medical gloves in Saudi Arabia spiked soon after the COVID-19 outbreak in the country. Saudi Arabia was one of the countries that was able to efficiently handle such an unprecedented situation. It promptly initiated mass screening programs in multiple phases as suggested by the World Health Organization (WHO). Due to these programs, the demand for medical gloves soared in the country during the pandemic. All the frontline workers and staff were provided adequate PPE kits, including medical gloves and other resources to ensure their safety from the transmission of the virus, due to which the market gained significant traction.

Saudi Arabia Medical Gloves Market - By Product Type

Based on product types, Saudi Arabia medical gloves market is grouped into examination, surgical, and chemotherapy segments. The examination segment accounted for the largest market share in 2021 because of the rising prevalence of various infectious and chronic diseases in Saudi Arabia. The risk of cross-contamination during the examination and diagnostic procedures is very high and puts healthcare workers at risk. Therefore, the use of medical gloves is recommended for doctors’ safety. The surgical segment is also increasing at a high rate because of the rising demand for invasive and non-invasive surgical procedures.

Saudi Arabia Medical Gloves Market - By Form

Based on forms, Saudi Arabia medical gloves market is grouped into powdered and powder-free. The powder-free medical gloves segment accounts for the largest market share as they are considered skin-friendly and versatile and also are easier to wear. Powdered gloves contain corn starch powder to make them easier to take on. However, starch powder poses an allergy risk for healthcare workers due to the absorption of latex protein antigens onto the starch powder on the gloves.

Saudi Arabia Medical Gloves Market - By Usage

Based on usage, Saudi Arabia medical gloves market is grouped into disposable and reusable segments. The disposable medical gloves segment accounted for the largest market share as they provide higher safety from infectious diseases. The limited usage of these gloves further ensures their safety. Nevertheless, the growing concern regarding medical waste and the environmental impact of non-biodegradable medical gloves is driving the healthcare sector to shift to reusable gloves, which is expected to drive the market growth during the forecast period.

Saudi Arabia Medical Gloves Market- Competitive Landscape

The leading players in the Saudi Arabia medical gloves market are Saudi Disposable Hygienic Products Co. Ltd., Gracia Trading Est, Daw Trade Serve, Madar Rubber Factory, Islam Izzat, Health Ways Trading Est., INTCO Medical, Plasti Surge Industries, Sterimed Disposables, Medmeans Trading, and other prominent players.

The market is highly fragmented due to the presence of various multinational as well as regional medical gloves manufacturers and suppliers. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, new entrants are benefitting from lucrative growth opportunities in the medical glove market. Regardless of their size, both new entrants and existing companies are investing heavily to expand their production capacity in order to increase product penetration. Moreover, the adoption of competitive strategies such as partnerships, mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, etc., is also prominent in this market.

Scope of the Report:

By Product Type

• Examination
• Surgical
• Chemotherapy

By Form

• Powered
• Powder-Free

By Usage

• Disposable
• Reusable

By Raw Material

• Latex
• Nitrile Rubber
• Vinyl Rubber
• Polyisoprene
• Others

By End-User

• Hospitals
• Clinics
• Ambulatory Surgery Centers
• Diagnostic Centers
• Rehabilitation Centers
• Others