As global demand for world-class healthcare soars, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre (KFSHRC) is positioning itself at the forefront of medical tourism. Dr Björn Zoéga, Deputy CEO at KFSHRC, discusses the hospital’s rise as a premier destination, its pioneering use of cutting-edge technologies and its role in shaping healthcare in the Middle East under Saudi Vision 2030.
KFSHRC has been making significant strides in medical tourism. How do you envision the role of the Middle East, and particularly KFSHRC, in the global medical tourism market over the next few years?
The region is an emerging medical tourism destination thanks to its advanced healthcare services and cost-effective treatments. The Middle East and Africa Health Tourism Market is growing at a very high rate (a CAGR of +34%), expected to hit US$49.5 billion [1] by 2030. Some estimates suggest that Arab medical tourists account for as high as 30% of [2] the global market.
The biggest regional healthcare hubs like Saudi Arabia now offer more access to high-quality and cost-effective healthcare. Under the Health Sector Transformation Programme of Saudi Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia focuses on expanding access to specialised medical care, fostering innovation and building world-class healthcare infrastructure. Over US$65 billion has been earmarked for Saudi healthcare investments by 2030. [3]
In this burgeoning segment, KFSHRC makes a substantial contribution. We’re tapping into the high potential of this market to become a regional and global leader in medical tourism. In 2023, KFSHRC’s medical tourism patients increased by around 40%. [4] Our patients were from different countries such as Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar and the UAE.
KFSHRC’s impressive global recognition as the leading institution in the Middle East and North Africa represents a significant milestone in advancing our status as a medical hub. But beyond the rankings, KFSHRC plays a crucial role in training and educating Saudi Arabia’s professionals, contributing to knowledge gain. It is also a powerhouse for medical innovation and research in the region.
As the Middle East attracts more international patients, KFSHRC is excited to be ahead of this transformation, providing progressive care. In the years ahead, we see ourselves playing an even bigger role on the global medical tourism stage. We’re ready to welcome more patients from all corners of the world, offering them the best in specialised healthcare right here in Saudi Arabia.
KFSHRC is recognised as a top Academic Medical Centre in the Middle East. What do you think sets KFSHRC apart from other hospitals in the region, particularly when it comes to attracting international patients?
KFSHRC has succeeded in achieving a blend of cutting-edge technology, global expertise and an unwavering focus on patient care. A world-class research centre directly integrated into patient care; five specialised Centres of Excellence equipped with novel technologies; and a team of world-renowned specialists and professionals.
We’re ahead of the curve when it comes to HealthTech. KFSHRC performed the world’s first fully robotic heart transplant earlier this month and the world’s first fully robotic liver transplant in 2023. We’ve developed AI-driven tools that help us predict diseases, including breast cancer risk and outcomes of bone marrow transplants. This translates into more precise, customised care for every patient, which is what really sets us apart.
What excites you most about KFSHRC’s expansion in the medical tourism sector, particularly with its focus on advanced treatments in genomics and neuroscience? Are there any upcoming innovations or initiatives that you are particularly enthusiastic about?
KFSHRC’s expansion in the medical tourism sector is a vital step in realising our vision to be a globally leading specialised healthcare provider. Our focus is not only on expanding our capabilities and driving innovation but also on making advanced treatments more accessible and affordable.
In the field of genomics, we are leading the integration of cutting-edge technologies into clinical practice. Through Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS), we have improved our ability to diagnose and treat rare genetic disorders more accurately. In 2023, we conducted over 7,000 WGS [5] tests. Notably, the cost of WGS went down by 67%, which makes [6] this essential and precise diagnostic tool accessible to more patients.
Our Clinical Pharmacogenomics Service is another example. By tailoring drug treatments to each patient’s unique genetic profile, we’re reducing adverse drug reactions and enhancing treatment effectiveness. In 2023, we launched a specialised pharmacogenomics[7] service for cardiology patients, ensuring more targeted and safer care.
In neuroscience, KFSHRC is breaking new ground in early diagnosis and innovative treatments. Our autism research has introduced new screening technologies, including a US-patented eye-tracking tool – the first of its kind in the Middle East. Additionally, in 2023, KFSHRC achieved a regional first by successfully implanting brain electrodes in an epileptic child using a minimally invasive technique.
Meanwhile, our Research Centre continues to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the medical field, pioneering new treatments, and improving patient outcomes.
What is really exciting about KFSHRC’s achievements is that it is an integral part of the bigger picture: developing groundbreaking therapies from the Middle East region and Saudi Arabia, particularly, and making them more accessible to millions of patients.
All our endeavours are united by a common objective: to truly impact the lives of our patients and their families, championing future-focused medical progress while prioritising compassionate and patient-centred care.
One of the key aspects of KFSHRC’s transformation is the use of AI-driven capabilities like the Capacity Command Centre. How has the integration of AI improved patient care and operational efficiency, and how does this align with your broader vision for healthcare transformation?
KFSHRC’s strategy focuses on integrating AI across all our organisation’s functions. KFSHRC strategically aligns resources, processes and goals and enhances operational efficiency by integrating these AI-driven capabilities across various departments – aligning with Saudi Arabia’s goal to digitise 70% of patient activities by 2030.
On the operational level, this ambition is driven by our Capacity Command Centre, which leverages AI to manage patient movement, optimise workflows and predict demand in real-time. The centre has conducted over 170,000 interventions in three years. This reduced bed waiting times by more than 80% and decreased emergency department wait times by 14%. This led to better resource management and quicker patient care access.
The ANFAL AI system has also boosted operational efficiency. Patient data is analysed and transformed into actionable insights that we use to manage flow better, allocate resources and respond swiftly to emergencies. This has reduced overall patient wait times by 20% and improved resource utilisation by 15%.
KFSHRC is transforming into a smarter, more responsive healthcare provider equipped to meet growing demand and deliver excellence in medical care. And at the core of all this is a commitment to lead the HealthTech evolution with a sense of curiosity and purpose. We’re always exploring new ways to improve our services and embracing technology to make a real difference for every patient.
Despite the many opportunities, medical tourism also presents unique challenges, such as maintaining consistent quality and managing patient expectations. What are some of your biggest concerns or challenges in this rapidly growing sector, and how is KFSHRC addressing them?
Medical tourism is a dynamic and evolving sector, promising growth but demanding excellence. With a rising number of international patients, the challenge lies in maintaining unwavering quality while expanding rapidly. KFSHRC prioritises human-centricity and excellence. We invest our resources and leverage the Kingdom’s supportive healthcare environment to ensure world-class care at every step.
Increased competitiveness in healthcare goes hand in hand with nurturing and developing human capabilities. We are committed to training the next generation of healthcare professionals by providing world-class accredited education programs and hands-on experience through the Simulation Centre. We offer comprehensive, up-to-date training programmes for physicians, nurses and health professionals. Meanwhile, we continue to recruit top global medical talent to enrich our teams with diverse expertise and perspectives.
How do you see KFSHRC’s transformation aligning with global healthcare trends, and what long-term strategies are being employed to ensure that the hospital remains a leader in medical tourism and patient care innovation?
KFSHRC’s transformation is a bold step forward, mirroring the sweeping changes I’ve witnessed in top-notch healthcare systems worldwide. Healthcare today is about more than just curing illness — it’s about predicting, preventing and personalising care in ways never imagined.
Today, KFSHRC embraces this shift by merging personalised medicine, digital health and value-based care into a unified strategy committed to enhancing every patient’s journey. KFSHRC is actively enhancing its capacity to accommodate more patients seeking specialised, state-of-the-art care, including through establishing new facilities like the Polyclinics and Family Medicine project (set to be fully completed by the end of 2024).
Digital innovation is the enabler of this transformation, which leverages AI, robotics, biotechnology, telehealth and advanced data analytics; it’s how we pair expanding our capacity with elevating the standard of care. KFSHRC’s Centre for Healthcare Intelligence (CHI) today is a primary driver in advancing treatment outcomes and operational efficiency.
Click below to share this article