In a move reflecting the Saudi Arabian healthcare sector's commitment to achieving the goals of the National Transformation Program, Shaqra General Hospital , part of the Riyadh Health Cluster 3, announced the completion of a major expansion that increased the capacity of its emergency departments by 80% and its outpatient clinics by 60%. This step is part of a comprehensive package of development projects aimed at improving the patient experience and reducing waiting times, representing a significant leap forward in healthcare services provided to the residents of the governorate.
Technological shift and infrastructure upgrade
The development work was not limited to increasing bed capacity; it also included a complete overhaul of the technical and medical infrastructure. The CT scan department was upgraded with the latest global equipment to ensure diagnostic accuracy, and the academic affairs and training department was developed to enhance the skills of the medical staff. Among the most significant technological additions was the integration of medical devices with a smart central control system, which improves the speed of medical response and supports highly accurate treatment decisions.
The context of health transformation and Vision 2030
These developments come within the framework of the Health Sector Transformation Program, one of the programs of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which aims to restructure the health sector into a comprehensive, efficient, and integrated healthcare system. The inclusion of Shaqra Hospital under the umbrella of the Third Riyadh Health Cluster is part of the Ministry's strategy to promote decentralization in service delivery, ensuring that citizens have access to specialized healthcare in their regions without having to travel to major cities.
Expected impact on residents of Shaqra and neighboring centers
This project is expected to have a tangible positive impact on the local and regional levels of the governorate. The increased emergency department capacity will directly contribute to a faster response to critical cases and accidents, which is vital for a hospital serving a large geographical area and major highways. Furthermore, the expansion of the outpatient clinics will eliminate long waiting lists, providing faster preventative and curative care to the local community.
Safety standards and institutional accreditation
Engineer Abdulaziz Al-Abdulwahab, Assistant Executive Director of Operations, confirmed that the projects were implemented according to strict international standards that focus on patient safety and smooth flow of movement within the hospital. He pointed out that these improvements are in line with the requirements of the Saudi Central Board for Accreditation of Healthcare Institutions (CBAHI), ensuring the provision of comprehensive medical care with complete privacy, thus enhancing patients' confidence in the quality of healthcare services provided at Shaqra General Hospital.
