Saudi Arabia’s first radiation therapy center opens in Madinah

Cancer patients in Madinah no longer need to travel hundreds of miles for radiation treatment. Dr. Soliman Fakeeh Hospital has opened the city's first radiation therapy center, eliminating a major healthcare gap that forced patients to seek treatment in distant cities.

The new facility uses advanced Varian TrueBeam technology to deliver precise radiation doses to tumors while protecting healthy tissue. For patients and families who previously faced the burden of traveling for treatment, this represents a major improvement in accessibility and quality of life.

How does it work?

The center uses the Varian TrueBeam LINAC system, which delivers high-precision radiation beams directly to cancerous tumors. The technology allows doctors to target cancer cells while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue.

The facility treats multiple types of cancer:

• Breast cancer
• Lung cancer
• Prostate cancer
• Brain tumors
• Head and neck cancers
• Various other solid tumors

A multidisciplinary team of oncologists, radiologists, surgeons, and medical physicists work together to create personalized treatment plans for each patient. The approach follows international protocols and can be used as primary treatment, before or after surgery, or alongside chemotherapy.

Why does it matter?

Radiation therapy is used in more than 60% of cancer cases, making access to this technology essential for comprehensive cancer care. Before this center opened, Madinah residents had to travel to other Saudi cities for treatment, creating significant financial, emotional, and logistical challenges.

"Oncology patients in Madinah no longer need to travel long distances to receive radiation therapy," said Dr. Nizar Khalifa, Executive Director of Dr. Soliman Fakeeh Hospital in Madinah. "They can now receive advanced care close to their homes and loved ones, within a comprehensive medical environment that supports their treatment journey with confidence and peace of mind."

The precision of the new equipment also means fewer side effects and potentially shorter treatment courses for patients, improving both outcomes and quality of life during treatment.

The context

This opening is part of Saudi Arabia's broader push to improve healthcare infrastructure across the kingdom. The initiative aligns with Vision 2030's goals to enhance medical services and reduce the need for patients to travel abroad or to major cities for specialized care.

Fakeeh Care Group's investment in Madinah reflects the growing emphasis on decentralizing advanced medical services beyond major urban centers like Riyadh and Jeddah. The hospital group has committed to providing services that meet international standards while keeping patients closer to their support networks.

The center represents a significant step toward making advanced cancer care more accessible in Saudi Arabia's smaller cities, potentially serving as a model for similar expansions in other regions.