King Saud Medical City, an active member of the First Riyadh Health Cluster, has achieved a qualitative leap in its medical and surgical performance, recording a new record achievement added to its impressive record. The city announced that the number of surgical operations performed in its operating rooms exceeded 25,000 operations during the year 2025. This huge number included a wide range of surgical interventions that varied between scheduled routine cases and urgent and emergency cases, thus achieving a growth rate of 20% compared to the statistics recorded in the year 2024.
Operational efficiency and global quality standards
In detailing this achievement, Dr. Hussein Al-Yousef, Head of Surgical Operations at the First Riyadh Health Cluster and Director of Operations at the city, explained that this figure is not merely a quantitative increase, but rather a reflection of the improved efficiency in utilizing the operational capacity of the operating rooms. Dr. Al-Yousef emphasized that the city has successfully achieved exceptionally high occupancy rates, coupled with a significant reduction in surgery cancellation rates. This has directly benefited patients by shortening waiting lists, improving the quality of medical services, and enhancing patient safety standards in accordance with the best international protocols.
Breakthrough in same-day surgeries
The development wasn't limited to traditional procedures; the city also witnessed a strategic shift in its healthcare model, reflected in a growth of over 50% in same-day surgeries. This trend reflects King Saud Medical City's commitment to adopting modern care models that focus on rapid access to services and reducing patient stays in the hospital, thus improving the patient experience, minimizing operational waste, and reducing the risk of healthcare-associated infections.
Historical significance and pivotal role
King Saud Medical City (historically known as Al-Shumaisi Hospital) is one of the oldest and most prestigious medical institutions in Saudi Arabia and the region, serving as a leading center for numerous specialized and rare fields. The city plays a vital role in the Riyadh healthcare system, receiving the most complex cases, including multiple injuries and accidents, thanks to its highly qualified medical staff and advanced technological equipment, enabling it to efficiently and effectively handle this large volume of surgical procedures.
Alignment with the Kingdom's Vision 2030
This achievement is perfectly aligned with the objectives of the Health Sector Transformation Program, one of the programs under the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, which aims to restructure the health sector into a comprehensive, efficient, and integrated healthcare system. Increasing surgical capacity and focusing on same-day surgeries directly contribute to the Vision’s goals of facilitating access to healthcare services, enhancing operational efficiency, and ensuring financial sustainability, ultimately leading to greater health benefits for Saudi society and improving the quality of life.
