King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre (KFSHRC) has been ranked first in the Middle East and Africa and 20th globally in the list of the world’s top 250 Academic Medical Centres for the second consecutive year. It has also been recognised as the most valuable healthcare brand in the Kingdom and the Middle East, according to the 2024 Brand Finance rankings.
Catering to international patients from 17 countries worldwide, KFSHRC contributes significantly to Saudi Arabia’s growing profile on the global medical tourism map, underscored this week by its strong presence at the Global Health Exhibition 2024, held in Riyadh.
Primarily based in Riyadh, the centre also operates branches in Jeddah and Madinah, which serve as major healthcare and research hubs focusing on advanced medical treatment, research, and education. KFSHRC is listed among the world’s top 250 hospitals and was included in Newsweek magazine’s World’s Best Smart Hospitals list for 2025.
With global interest in medical tourism on the rise, Saudi Arabia’s healthcare sector is working to position the Kingdom as a premier destination for advanced medical treatments, shifting from a history of outbound medical tourism to attracting 5% of global patients who seek treatment abroad.
King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre (KFSHRC) boasts cutting edge technologies
Through KFSHRC’s medical innovations, cutting-edge technologies, and expertise in rare medical specialties, the centre treated inbound patients from 17 countries in 2024, with 77% of these patients coming from GCC nations. The hospital’s provision of state-of-the-art technology and advanced medical services makes it an ideal choice for international patients seeking accurate diagnoses and innovative treatments across various specialties within its Centres of Excellence.
As a Platinum Sponsor at the Global Health Exhibition, which concluded yesterday in Riyadh, KFSHRC showcased the patient journey offered by its International Patient Care Centre. This journey begins with initial communication and assessment of preliminary medical diagnoses, followed by the patient’s arrival in Riyadh, where the centre manages all travel, reception, and accommodation arrangements. It continues through the treatment process and concludes with post-treatment evaluation and follow-up consultations, ensuring a comprehensive patient experience for international visitors seeking the latest treatment methods and outstanding medical expertise.
KFSHRC houses several Centres of Excellence, including the Heart Centre, renowned globally for its expertise in paediatric cardiac surgeries and advanced robotic procedures.
To this end, KSA’s Research, Development, and Innovation Authority this week awarded Professor Feras Khaliel, Head of Cardiac Surgery at KFSHRC, the Health Research Excellence: Applied Innovation Award for pioneering advancements in robotic heart surgery. Professor Khaliel led the world’s first robotic heart transplant on a 16-year-old patient, marking a milestone in minimally invasive heart transplant techniques, which reduce recovery time, pain, and complication risks.
KFSHRC’s programme has introduced innovative procedures like robotic multi-valve and aortic valve surgeries and integrated advanced ventricular assist devices for patients awaiting heart transplants or ineligible for them, achieving survival rates of up to 98%, reduced recovery times, and significant cost savings. The program is recognised for treating diverse, high-risk patients, enhancing outcomes across a wide age range.
The Organ Transplant Centre has pioneered significant innovations in transplant practices and is celebrated for some of the highest survival rates worldwide, with 20% of KFSHRC’s international patients seeking treatment here last year.
Among the Centres of Excellence serving international patients is the Oncology Centre, providing comprehensive care to 37% of KFSHRC’s global patients. These patients benefit from innovative treatments such as CAR-T cell therapy, advanced radiation therapy, and the pioneering use of 3D printing technologies to enhance the patient experience and mitigate radiation therapy side effects.
Additionally, the Neuroscience Centre, the largest of its kind in the region, treats around 30% of the hospital’s international patients, offering specialised procedures like epilepsy surgeries, tumour removal, and brain stimulation therapies. The Genomic Medicine Centre further supports international patients with advanced genetic testing and personalised consultations.
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All photo rights: KFSHRC
