Saudi Arabia gets its first internationally accredited healthcare technology management certification

Saudi Arabia has no shortage of ambition when it comes to healthcare reform. But ambition needs people who know how to run the machines. That is precisely the gap this new initiative is trying to close.

First Gulf Company (FGC) has announced it will introduce the Certified Healthcare Technology Manager (CHTM) certification pathway in Saudi Arabia, working alongside the Biomedical Engineering Technology Society (BMET). The two organisations will sign a Memorandum of Understanding on 23 August 2026 to formalise the arrangement.

The CHTM credential is awarded internationally by the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI). It is a recognised benchmark for professionals responsible for managing the medical equipment and health technology systems that clinical staff depend on daily. For Saudi Arabia, this is the first time the pathway has been made available locally.

How will it work?

FGC will deliver the certification pathway through its Facility Management Division, with Saudi engineers among the first in the Kingdom to undertake the programme. BMET, the Kingdom's professional body for biomedical engineering, is accredited by the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCFHS) and brings the regulatory credibility needed to anchor the programme within the national health system.

The two organisations together create a pathway that is both internationally recognised and locally grounded. Engineers who complete the programme will hold a credential that carries weight beyond Saudi borders, while the content is directly relevant to the realities of managing health facilities across the Kingdom.

Why does it matter?

Medical equipment fails. When it does, patient safety is at risk and clinical workflows break down. The people responsible for maintaining and managing that equipment need more than technical skills. They need structured, validated expertise, and a professional standard that holds them to account.

The CHTM credential addresses exactly that. And bringing it to Saudi Arabia means the Kingdom's health facilities can now develop in-house talent to a globally recognised standard, rather than relying solely on external expertise. That's a meaningful shift, both for workforce development and for the long-term reliability of the country's healthcare infrastructure.

• Validates the technical and managerial competency of healthcare technology professionals
• Recognised internationally through AAMI, one of the most credible bodies in medical instrumentation
• Delivered locally through BMET, which is accredited by SCFHS
• Directly supports the development of Saudi national talent in a specialised health sector role

The context

Saudi Vision 2030 has placed significant weight on building a resilient, locally managed healthcare system. Part of that means reducing dependence on expatriate expertise in technical fields and investing in the capabilities of Saudi professionals. FGC, founded in 2001 and a systems integration partner across healthcare, broadcasting, and critical infrastructure, positions this initiative as a direct expression of that national commitment.

But the significance extends beyond Vision 2030 rhetoric. Across the GCC, health systems are expanding rapidly. New hospitals are opening, digital health infrastructure is being built out, and the complexity of medical technology is increasing. The demand for professionals who can manage that complexity to a consistent standard is only going to grow. Saudi Arabia, by introducing the CHTM pathway now, is moving ahead of that curve.