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	<title>Saudi Arabia Archives - DH Arab</title>
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	<link>https://dharab.com/cat_country/sa/</link>
	<description>All about digital health in the Arab World</description>
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		<title>Wafi Health and Saudi German Health team up to bring more medical bookings online</title>
		<link>https://dharab.com/wafi-health-and-saudi-german-health-team-up-to-bring-more-medical-bookings-online/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[wpx_dharab]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sun, 28 Jun 2026 08:56:09 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Partnerships]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://dharab.com/wafi-health-and-saudi-german-health-team-up-to-bring-more-medical-bookings-online/</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>The partnership gives patients across Saudi Arabia a single digital platform to book both healthcare and aesthetic services</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://dharab.com/wafi-health-and-saudi-german-health-team-up-to-bring-more-medical-bookings-online/">Wafi Health and Saudi German Health team up to bring more medical bookings online</a> appeared first on <a href="https://dharab.com">DH Arab</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Two of Saudi Arabia&#8217;s bigger names in healthcare have joined forces. <a href="https://dharab.com/dbentry/wafi-health/"><strong>Wafi Health</strong></a>, an AI-powered marketplace for medical and aesthetic services, has signed a strategic partnership with Saudi German Health, one of the region&#8217;s largest hospital groups. The goal is simple: make it easier for patients to find, compare, and book appointments without the usual friction.</p>
<p>Under the deal, patients of both organizations will be able to book a wide range of medical and aesthetic services through the Wafi Health platform and its mobile app. Both companies say the arrangement is designed to cut down the steps patients have to take to get care, whether that&#8217;s a specialist consultation or a cosmetic procedure.</p>
<p>The signing took place in the presence of Dr. Nizar Bahabri, CEO of Saudi German Health, and Hossam El Gamal, CEO of Wafi Health.</p>
<h2>How will it work?</h2>
<p>Wafi Health runs a marketplace model, similar to what you&#8217;d see in e-commerce, but for healthcare. The platform already connects patients with:</p>
<ul>
<li>More than 300 hospitals, medical centers, and clinics</li>
<li>Over 5,000 medical and aesthetic deals each month</li>
<li>Providers across Riyadh, Jeddah, Makkah, Dammam, Al Khobar, and Al Qassim</li>
</ul>
<p>With this partnership, Saudi German Health&#8217;s network of facilities joins that ecosystem. Patients can search for services, compare options, and book appointments directly through the Wafi app. The platform handles the digital layer, while the clinical side stays with the providers.</p>
<h2>Why does it matter?</h2>
<p>For patients, the practical benefit is consolidation. Right now, booking a medical appointment in Saudi Arabia often means calling clinics directly, navigating separate websites, or going through an insurance provider. A single app that aggregates services from multiple hospital groups reduces that hassle significantly.</p>
<p>For Wafi Health, adding Saudi German Health to its network is a meaningful expansion. Saudi German Health operates across multiple cities and specialties, so the partnership adds real depth to what patients can find on the platform, not just more of the same.</p>
<p>For the broader industry, deals like this signal where healthcare in the region is heading: toward consolidated digital access rather than fragmented, provider-by-provider booking systems.</p>
<h2>The context</h2>
<p>This partnership fits squarely into Saudi Arabia&#8217;s Vision 2030 push to modernize its healthcare system. The government has set clear targets around digital health adoption, and private sector players have been moving quickly to align with those goals.</p>
<p>Wafi Health describes itself as Saudi Arabia&#8217;s first AI-powered marketplace combining healthcare and aesthetic services, and it has grown fast. The aesthetic angle is worth noting too. Demand for cosmetic procedures in the Gulf has risen sharply over the past few years, and platforms that can serve both medical and aesthetic needs in one place are well-positioned to capture that growth.</p>
<p>El Gamal framed the deal in Vision 2030 terms, saying the partnership is aimed at helping more people access high-quality services through a secure digital platform. Whether the platform delivers on that promise at scale is the real test, but the direction of travel is clear. <a href="https://wafi.health/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Wafi Health</a> is betting that aggregation is how Saudi healthcare goes digital.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://dharab.com/wafi-health-and-saudi-german-health-team-up-to-bring-more-medical-bookings-online/">Wafi Health and Saudi German Health team up to bring more medical bookings online</a> appeared first on <a href="https://dharab.com">DH Arab</a>.</p>
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		<title>Flagship Pioneering and Saudi Arabia&#8217;s Lean sign deal to build AI-driven biomedical research hub</title>
		<link>https://dharab.com/flagship-pioneering-and-saudi-arabias-lean-sign-deal-to-build-ai-driven-biomedical-research-hub/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[wpx_dharab]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 24 Jun 2026 04:27:25 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Partnerships]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://dharab.com/flagship-pioneering-and-saudi-arabias-lean-sign-deal-to-build-ai-driven-biomedical-research-hub/</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>The partnership brings together Lean's national health data platforms and Flagship's life sciences expertise to push precision medicine forward under Vision 2030</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://dharab.com/flagship-pioneering-and-saudi-arabias-lean-sign-deal-to-build-ai-driven-biomedical-research-hub/">Flagship Pioneering and Saudi Arabia&#8217;s Lean sign deal to build AI-driven biomedical research hub</a> appeared first on <a href="https://dharab.com">DH Arab</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Flagship Pioneering, the Boston-based firm that created Moderna and more than 100 other life sciences companies, has signed a memorandum of understanding with <a href="https://dharab.com/dbentry/lean-business-services/"><strong>Lean Business Services</strong></a>, a Saudi Public Investment Fund company, to advance AI-powered biomedical research in Saudi Arabia. The deal was announced on June 23 at the BIO International Convention in San Diego.</p>
<p>The agreement pairs Lean&#8217;s national digital health infrastructure with Flagship&#8217;s experience in life sciences, artificial intelligence, and building biotech ventures from scratch. The two organizations say they plan to explore how AI and health data can be used together to speed up scientific discovery and improve patient outcomes in the Kingdom.</p>
<p>No specific projects have been announced yet. The companies say any future work will need to clear the relevant approvals, privacy requirements, and regulatory hurdles under Saudi law before moving forward.</p>
<h2>How will it work?</h2>
<p>For the first twelve months, Flagship and Lean will focus on three things:</p>
<ul>
<li>Identifying which research and healthcare innovation areas to prioritize</li>
<li>Building governance models that can support large-scale, data-driven science</li>
<li>Mapping out where Saudi Arabia&#8217;s life sciences ecosystem has gaps and opportunities</li>
</ul>
<p>Lean brings the data side of the equation. The company runs Saudi Arabia&#8217;s national health platforms and the interoperability infrastructure that connects healthcare providers across the Kingdom. That gives it access to population-level health data, which is exactly the kind of raw material that AI-driven drug discovery and precision medicine research needs.</p>
<p>Flagship brings the scientific and commercial know-how. The firm has built its reputation on creating platform companies, each designed to generate multiple products rather than a single drug or therapy. That model has produced companies like Generate Biomedicines, Tessera Therapeutics, and Moderna.</p>
<h2>Why does it matter?</h2>
<p>Saudi Arabia is one of the most data-rich countries in the Middle East when it comes to health information, but that data has historically stayed inside the healthcare system rather than flowing into research. This partnership is an attempt to change that.</p>
<p>If it works, the implications go beyond Saudi Arabia. Large, well-governed national health datasets are scarce globally. Researchers developing AI models for disease prediction, drug discovery, or clinical decision support are constantly running into the same problem: not enough high-quality data. A structured partnership that opens Saudi health data to serious scientific use, under proper privacy and regulatory controls, could give both parties a real edge.</p>
<p>For Flagship specifically, the deal fits a broader pattern. The firm has been building out its AI capabilities aggressively, and its newer ventures like Lila Sciences are built around AI-first approaches to biology. Access to a new, large-scale health dataset in a fast-growing region is a strategic asset.</p>
<h2>The context</h2>
<p>This deal is part of a much larger effort by Saudi Arabia to diversify its economy and build a knowledge-based healthcare sector. Vision 2030, the Kingdom&#8217;s long-term reform plan, puts life sciences and health innovation near the top of its priority list. The Public Investment Fund, which owns Lean, has been actively placing bets on biotech and digital health both inside Saudi Arabia and internationally.</p>
<p>Flagship is not the first major Western life sciences player to sign agreements with Saudi institutions, but the company&#8217;s track record of building platform companies rather than just licensing technology makes this collaboration a bit different from a standard partnership announcement. The question now is whether the governance frameworks and regulatory groundwork can be laid quickly enough to turn the MoU into actual research output.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://dharab.com/flagship-pioneering-and-saudi-arabias-lean-sign-deal-to-build-ai-driven-biomedical-research-hub/">Flagship Pioneering and Saudi Arabia&#8217;s Lean sign deal to build AI-driven biomedical research hub</a> appeared first on <a href="https://dharab.com">DH Arab</a>.</p>
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		<title>Saudi Arabia becomes first country to approve AI app that reads vital signs from your face</title>
		<link>https://dharab.com/saudi-arabia-becomes-first-country-to-approve-ai-app-that-reads-vital-signs-from-your-face/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[wpx_dharab]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 24 Jun 2026 04:15:18 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[AI]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://dharab.com/saudi-arabia-becomes-first-country-to-approve-ai-app-that-reads-vital-signs-from-your-face/</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>The SFDA has cleared a smartphone app that measures heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen levels using just a camera and a short facial video</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://dharab.com/saudi-arabia-becomes-first-country-to-approve-ai-app-that-reads-vital-signs-from-your-face/">Saudi Arabia becomes first country to approve AI app that reads vital signs from your face</a> appeared first on <a href="https://dharab.com">DH Arab</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Your smartphone camera can already scan documents, identify plants, and translate text in real time. Now, Saudi Arabia has approved an AI-powered app that uses it to monitor your vital signs.</p>
<p>The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) has granted marketing authorization for a digital medical application that measures heart rate, blood oxygen saturation, and blood pressure using a smartphone camera. According to the SFDA, this makes Saudi Arabia the first country in the world to approve this specific application for the market.</p>
<p>The approval followed a full technical and clinical review, including a dedicated clinical trial conducted inside Saudi Arabia. The app was developed through a collaboration between the SFDA and the Ministry of Health, with the Seha Virtual Hospital playing a central role in testing and evaluation.</p>
<h2>How does it work?</h2>
<p>The app uses a technology called remote photoplethysmography, or rPPG. The basic idea is that blood moving through your face causes tiny, nearly invisible changes in skin color with each heartbeat. The camera picks up those changes, and the AI algorithms translate them into readings for heart rate and oxygen levels.</p>
<p>Blood pressure measurement works slightly differently and requires a one-time calibration step using a certified medical device before the app can produce readings on its own.</p>
<p>A few important limits to know:</p>
<ul>
<li>It is not a standalone diagnostic tool</li>
<li>It is not designed for emergency or critical care situations</li>
<li>The initial blood pressure calibration must be done with an approved medical device</li>
</ul>
<p>The app went through the SFDA&#8217;s Regulatory Sandbox before moving to its Innovative Medical Devices pathway, where it completed all required evaluations including the Saudi-based clinical trial.</p>
<h2>Why does it matter?</h2>
<p>Getting your blood pressure or heart rate checked typically means visiting a clinic, using a dedicated device, or owning wearable hardware. An approved smartphone-based alternative could change that for a lot of people, particularly in remote areas or for patients managing chronic conditions at home.</p>
<p>The broader significance is regulatory. Health tech companies building similar tools now have a concrete approval precedent to reference. Saudi Arabia beating larger markets like the US and EU to a first approval of this kind is also notable, since it signals that the SFDA is willing to move quickly on digital health products when the clinical evidence supports it.</p>
<p>For consumers, the practical value depends on accuracy in real-world conditions, which the clinical trial was designed to assess. The calibration requirement for blood pressure suggests the developers and regulators are being careful about where the technology&#8217;s limits currently sit.</p>
<h2>The context</h2>
<p>This approval fits into a larger push by Saudi Arabia to modernize its healthcare system under Vision 2030, the country&#8217;s long-term economic and social reform plan. The Health Sector Transformation Program, one of Vision 2030&#8217;s components, has set digital health as a priority area.</p>
<p>The SFDA has been building out its regulatory infrastructure for AI and digital medical devices over the past few years. The Regulatory Sandbox, which this app passed through, is designed to give innovative products a structured path to approval without forcing them into frameworks built for traditional hardware devices.</p>
<p>Remote photoplethysmography is not a new concept in research, but getting it into a regulated, commercially approved product has proven difficult in most markets. Companies like Apple and Samsung have explored camera-based health monitoring in their devices, though these are generally positioned as wellness features rather than medical ones. A full regulatory clearance for a medical-grade app in this category is a meaningful step forward for the field.</p>
<p>The approval was announced during what Saudi Arabia has designated the Year of Artificial Intelligence 2026, a national initiative aimed at accelerating AI adoption across key sectors.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://dharab.com/saudi-arabia-becomes-first-country-to-approve-ai-app-that-reads-vital-signs-from-your-face/">Saudi Arabia becomes first country to approve AI app that reads vital signs from your face</a> appeared first on <a href="https://dharab.com">DH Arab</a>.</p>
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		<title>Saudi hospital launches minimally invasive breast cancer surgery with same-day reconstruction</title>
		<link>https://dharab.com/saudi-hospital-launches-minimally-invasive-breast-cancer-surgery-with-same-day-reconstruction/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[wpx_dharab]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sat, 20 Jun 2026 05:35:57 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Surgery]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://dharab.com/saudi-hospital-launches-minimally-invasive-breast-cancer-surgery-with-same-day-reconstruction/</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>King Faisal Specialist Hospital in Madinah now offers endoscopic nipple-sparing mastectomy through a small armpit incision, with breast reconstruction done in the same operation</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://dharab.com/saudi-hospital-launches-minimally-invasive-breast-cancer-surgery-with-same-day-reconstruction/">Saudi hospital launches minimally invasive breast cancer surgery with same-day reconstruction</a> appeared first on <a href="https://dharab.com">DH Arab</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>A hospital in Saudi Arabia has made a surgical technique available as a permanent treatment option that removes breast tissue through a hidden incision under the armpit while rebuilding the breast in the same operation. King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre (KFSH) in Madinah announced the program on June 18, 2026, following more than two years of clinical testing.</p>
<p>The approach, called endoscopic nipple-sparing mastectomy, preserves the skin, nipple, and blood supply to the breast. Because the incision is placed under the armpit rather than on the breast itself, visible scarring is significantly reduced. Surgeons then reconstruct the breast through the same small opening before the patient wakes up.</p>
<p>KFSH says the service is now open to all patients at the Madinah facility, with referrals accepted from anywhere in Saudi Arabia. The hospital is also accepting cases for preventive surgery in women who carry high-risk genetic mutations linked to breast and ovarian cancer.</p>
<h2>How does it work?</h2>
<p>The surgery uses an endoscope, a small camera-equipped tube, inserted through a short incision hidden in the armpit. This lets surgeons remove affected breast tissue without cutting across the breast itself. The key steps are:</p>
<ul>
<li>A small incision is made under the armpit, out of sight</li>
<li>The breast tissue is removed using the endoscope</li>
<li>The skin, nipple, and blood supply are kept intact throughout</li>
<li>Breast reconstruction is completed through the same incision before the operation ends</li>
</ul>
<p>Because the procedure is minimally invasive, recovery is faster than with traditional open surgery. The hospital reports an average hospital stay of no more than two days, with patients returning to daily life sooner and reporting less pain during recovery.</p>
<h2>Why does it matter?</h2>
<p>Breast cancer surgery has long carried a psychological weight alongside the physical one. Losing a breast, or being left with significant scarring, affects self-image and emotional recovery for many patients. This technique directly addresses that by making visible changes to the body much harder to see.</p>
<p>KFSH reported 26 successful cases since the program&#8217;s clinical phase began in December 2023, with encouraging outcomes and high patient satisfaction. Those results were enough for the hospital to move from a trial phase to a permanent program.</p>
<p>The technique is available for two groups of patients:</p>
<ul>
<li>Women diagnosed with breast cancer who are eligible for mastectomy</li>
<li>Women with high-risk genetic mutations, such as BRCA1 or BRCA2, who choose preventive surgery before cancer develops</li>
</ul>
<p>This second group is particularly important. Preventive mastectomy is an option some women pursue after genetic testing reveals a significantly elevated cancer risk, and having a less visible surgical outcome can make that decision easier to consider.</p>
<h2>The context</h2>
<p>KFSH in Madinah already runs a breast conservation program that has helped reduce the rate of full mastectomies in the region. This new endoscopic program sits alongside that effort, giving surgeons and patients more options depending on the clinical situation.</p>
<p>The Madinah hospital has 400 beds and covers specialties including adult and pediatric oncology, ophthalmology, obstetrics, and gynecology. It holds 14 training accreditations across medical and nursing disciplines.</p>
<p>KFSH as a broader institution ranked first in the Middle East and Africa and 12th globally among the world&#8217;s top 250 academic medical centers for 2026, according to its own reporting. Brand Finance also named it the most valuable healthcare brand in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East for the same year. Newsweek listed it among the world&#8217;s best hospitals, best smart hospitals, and best specialized hospitals for 2026.</p>
<p>Nipple-sparing mastectomy with immediate reconstruction has been growing in adoption globally over the past decade as surgical tools and techniques have improved. Performing it endoscopically, through a remote incision rather than directly on the breast, is a newer refinement that fewer centers currently offer. KFSH making it a standard option puts the hospital among a relatively small group of facilities worldwide with this capability in routine clinical use.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://dharab.com/saudi-hospital-launches-minimally-invasive-breast-cancer-surgery-with-same-day-reconstruction/">Saudi hospital launches minimally invasive breast cancer surgery with same-day reconstruction</a> appeared first on <a href="https://dharab.com">DH Arab</a>.</p>
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		<title>Saudi hospital removes pancreatic and liver tumors in a single robotic operation</title>
		<link>https://dharab.com/saudi-hospital-removes-pancreatic-and-liver-tumors-in-a-single-robotic-operation/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[wpx_dharab]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sat, 20 Jun 2026 05:34:28 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Surgery]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://dharab.com/saudi-hospital-removes-pancreatic-and-liver-tumors-in-a-single-robotic-operation/</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>King Faisal Specialist Hospital in Jeddah completed a rare combined cancer surgery on a 74-year-old patient without switching to open surgery</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://dharab.com/saudi-hospital-removes-pancreatic-and-liver-tumors-in-a-single-robotic-operation/">Saudi hospital removes pancreatic and liver tumors in a single robotic operation</a> appeared first on <a href="https://dharab.com">DH Arab</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Surgeons at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre (KFSH) in Jeddah have performed a single robotic operation to remove tumors from both the pancreas and the liver of a 74-year-old patient. The procedure combined two of the most demanding operations in abdominal surgery into one session, and the team completed it without converting to open surgery.</p>
<p>The patient arrived with symptoms of cholangitis, a bacterial infection of the bile ducts. Scans revealed a tumor in the head of the pancreas blocking the bile duct, and a separate tumor in a section of the liver. A multidisciplinary team reviewed the case and decided to tackle both in one operation, accounting for the patient&#8217;s age and other health conditions.</p>
<p>KFSH announced the result on June 17, 2026, describing it as a significant case given how rarely these two cancers appear at the same time and how difficult they are to treat together.</p>
<h2>How did it work?</h2>
<p>The surgical team performed two separate but connected procedures in the same session:</p>
<ul>
<li>A <strong>pancreaticoduodenectomy</strong>, also called the Whipple procedure, which removes the head of the pancreas, part of the small intestine, the gallbladder, and part of the bile duct</li>
<li>A <strong>partial hepatectomy</strong>, which removes the affected section of the liver</li>
<li>Reconstruction of the digestive and biliary pathways to restore normal function after both removals</li>
</ul>
<p>The robotic system gave surgeons high-definition, three-dimensional visuals and fine instrument control inside tight anatomical spaces where a small error can have serious consequences. The team included hepatopancreatobiliary surgeons, anesthesiologists, radiologists, gastroenterologists, oncologists, pathologists, critical care specialists, and nursing staff, all coordinating before, during, and after the operation.</p>
<h2>Why does it matter?</h2>
<p>Having cancer in both the pancreas and the liver at the same time is rare. Treating them together in one operation is harder still, because both organs sit in sensitive areas with major blood vessels nearby, and the reconstruction work after each removal adds its own risk. Traditionally, surgeons might have staged these as two separate open operations, which means two rounds of anesthesia, two recoveries, and more overall risk for an older patient with existing health problems.</p>
<p>Completing both in a single robotic session matters for a few reasons:</p>
<ul>
<li>One round of anesthesia instead of two reduces risk for the patient</li>
<li>Robotic surgery typically means less blood loss and less physical trauma to surrounding tissue</li>
<li>Recovery tends to be faster than after open surgery, which is important for a 74-year-old</li>
<li>The hospital did not need to convert to open surgery, which is often a sign that the planning and execution went well</li>
</ul>
<p>For the broader field, the case adds to the evidence that robotic platforms can handle compound cancer operations that would previously have been split up or avoided altogether in high-risk patients.</p>
<h2>The context</h2>
<p>Robotic surgery has been expanding steadily in oncology over the past decade. Early adoption focused on prostate and gynecological cancers, where the confined space and need for precision made the technology an obvious fit. More recently, hospitals have pushed into hepatopancreatobiliary surgery, one of the last areas where open surgery remained dominant because of the complexity involved.</p>
<p>KFSH is currently ranked first in the Middle East and North Africa and 12th globally among the world&#8217;s top 250 academic medical centers for 2026, according to its own rankings citation. Newsweek also listed it among the world&#8217;s best hospitals, best smart hospitals, and best specialized hospitals for 2026. The hospital has been building its robotic surgery program as part of a wider push in Saudi Arabia to develop advanced medical capabilities domestically, in line with the country&#8217;s Vision 2030 goals for the healthcare sector.</p>
<p>Pancreatic cancer in particular carries a poor prognosis partly because it is hard to detect early and hard to operate on safely. Cases where it appears alongside liver tumors are studied closely because the surgical and oncological decisions involved push the limits of what combined robotic procedures can achieve.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://dharab.com/saudi-hospital-removes-pancreatic-and-liver-tumors-in-a-single-robotic-operation/">Saudi hospital removes pancreatic and liver tumors in a single robotic operation</a> appeared first on <a href="https://dharab.com">DH Arab</a>.</p>
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		<title>Cority opens Saudi Arabia headquarters to tap growing safety software demand</title>
		<link>https://dharab.com/cority-opens-saudi-arabia-headquarters-to-tap-growing-safety-software-demand/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[wpx_dharab]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 10 Jun 2026 05:24:12 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Expansion]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://dharab.com/cority-opens-saudi-arabia-headquarters-to-tap-growing-safety-software-demand/</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>EHS software company partners with AstroLabs to serve Kingdom's energy and industrial sectors</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://dharab.com/cority-opens-saudi-arabia-headquarters-to-tap-growing-safety-software-demand/">Cority opens Saudi Arabia headquarters to tap growing safety software demand</a> appeared first on <a href="https://dharab.com">DH Arab</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Cority has opened its regional headquarters in Saudi Arabia, the latest software company to establish a local presence as the Kingdom pushes to modernize its industrial sectors. The EHS (environmental, health, and safety) software provider partnered with business setup platform AstroLabs to launch operations targeting Saudi Arabia&#8217;s energy companies and mega-projects.</p>
<p>The move comes as Saudi companies face growing pressure to meet stricter safety and environmental standards under the Vision 2030 economic transformation plan. Cority says it has seen strong demand from organizations working on the Kingdom&#8217;s giga-projects &#8211; massive infrastructure developments like NEOM and The Line that are central to Saudi Arabia&#8217;s diversification efforts.</p>
<h2>How will it work?</h2>
<p>Cority&#8217;s platform runs on Google Cloud and uses AI to help companies manage workplace safety, environmental compliance, and health risks from a single system. The software is designed to:</p>
<ul>
<li>Centralize safety data across different departments and locations</li>
<li>Identify early warning signs of potential safety issues</li>
<li>Automate compliance reporting and workflows</li>
<li>Provide real-time visibility into risk levels across operations</li>
</ul>
<p>&#8220;Saudi Arabia&#8217;s Vision 2030 is driving transformational change across industries, from construction to healthcare,&#8221; said Ryan Magee, CEO at Cority. The company will use its Saudi base to provide local customer support and expand its presence across priority industries.</p>
<h2>Why does it matter?</h2>
<p>Saudi Arabia&#8217;s industrial expansion has created new demands for safety and compliance software. The Kingdom is building massive construction projects, expanding its manufacturing base, and developing new cities &#8211; all while implementing stricter regulatory frameworks.</p>
<p>Traditional safety management often relies on separate systems for different types of risks, making it harder to spot patterns or coordinate responses. Cority&#8217;s integrated approach could help Saudi companies avoid costly accidents or regulatory violations as they scale operations.</p>
<p>&#8220;As Saudi Arabia&#8217;s giga-projects scale and regulatory frameworks evolve, organizations can no longer rely on fragmented approaches to safety and compliance,&#8221; said Fouad Fattal, Vice President at AstroLabs.</p>
<h2>The context</h2>
<p>The expansion reflects broader trends in Saudi Arabia&#8217;s tech sector. International software companies are increasingly setting up local operations to serve the Kingdom&#8217;s growing digital economy, often partnering with local firms like AstroLabs to navigate regulatory requirements.</p>
<p>Cority joins other tech companies establishing Saudi operations as Vision 2030 drives demand for digital solutions. The 40-year-old company serves over 1,500 organizations worldwide and has built expertise in highly regulated industries &#8211; experience that could prove valuable as Saudi Arabia develops its own industrial regulations.</p>
<p>The timing aligns with Saudi Arabia&#8217;s push to attract foreign investment in technology and industrial sectors, with the government offering incentives for companies that establish regional headquarters in the Kingdom.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://dharab.com/cority-opens-saudi-arabia-headquarters-to-tap-growing-safety-software-demand/">Cority opens Saudi Arabia headquarters to tap growing safety software demand</a> appeared first on <a href="https://dharab.com">DH Arab</a>.</p>
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		<title>Doctify launches in Saudi Arabia to support a new era of patient choice</title>
		<link>https://dharab.com/doctify-launches-in-saudi-arabia-to-support-a-new-era-of-patient-choice/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[wpx_dharab]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 10 Jun 2026 05:22:09 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Launch]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://dharab.com/doctify-launches-in-saudi-arabia-to-support-a-new-era-of-patient-choice/</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Healthcare platform expands to seventh market as Kingdom transforms healthcare delivery through Vision 2030</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://dharab.com/doctify-launches-in-saudi-arabia-to-support-a-new-era-of-patient-choice/">Doctify launches in Saudi Arabia to support a new era of patient choice</a> appeared first on <a href="https://dharab.com">DH Arab</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Doctify has launched in Saudi Arabia, entering its seventh market after expanding across the UK, the UAE, Germany, Austria, Australia and Ireland. The platform helps patients find healthcare providers through verified reviews and ratings.</p>
<p>The launch comes as Saudi Arabia transforms its healthcare sector through Vision 2030, creating more opportunities for private care and digital health services. With a $57 billion health budget and plans to attract over one million medical tourists by 2030, the Kingdom presents significant opportunities for healthcare technology companies.</p>
<h2>How does it work?</h2>
<p>Doctify connects patients with healthcare providers through several key features:</p>
<ul>
<li>Verified patient reviews and ratings of doctors and clinics</li>
<li>Provider profiles showing qualifications and specialties</li>
<li>Peer endorsements from other healthcare professionals</li>
<li>Search tools to help patients find the right specialist for their needs</li>
</ul>
<p>The platform was founded in 2015 with the goal of making healthcare decisions clearer and more transparent. Patients can access information about providers&#8217; experience and patient satisfaction, while healthcare professionals can build their reputation through genuine patient feedback.</p>
<h2>Why does it matter?</h2>
<p>Saudi Arabia&#8217;s healthcare market is changing rapidly. Vision 2030&#8217;s Health Sector Transformation Program is expanding access to care and accelerating digital health adoption. Private healthcare is growing, giving patients more choice in where they receive treatment.</p>
<p>&#8220;Saudi Arabia is the right place at the right time for us,&#8221; says Jason Nahani, Doctify Chief Revenue Officer. &#8220;With a $57 billion health budget, a booming population and 98% smartphone penetration, the landscape is shifting rapidly. As hospitals privatize and Vision 2030 accelerates digital health adoption, providers will need trusted platforms to stand out.&#8221;</p>
<p>For healthcare providers, this creates both opportunity and competition. As patients become more active in choosing their care, transparent information about quality and patient experience becomes more valuable. This mirrors trends Doctify has seen in other markets across Europe and the Middle East.</p>
<h2>The context</h2>
<p>Saudi Arabia is undergoing one of the world&#8217;s most ambitious healthcare transformations. The Kingdom is investing heavily in digital health infrastructure and expanding the private sector&#8217;s role in healthcare delivery.</p>
<p>The medical tourism ambitions add another layer of importance. With plans to attract over one million medical tourists by 2030, hospitals and clinics need ways to demonstrate their quality and build international credibility.</p>
<p>&#8220;Saudi Arabia is undergoing a significant transformation in how healthcare is delivered and experienced,&#8221; says Stephanie Eltz, Doctify CEO and co-founder. &#8220;As patient choice expands and the private sector grows, access to reliable, transparent information becomes increasingly important.&#8221;</p>
<p>This expansion reflects broader trends in healthcare digitization. Patients worldwide are increasingly using online platforms to research and choose healthcare providers, making reputation management and patient feedback systems more critical for medical practices.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://dharab.com/doctify-launches-in-saudi-arabia-to-support-a-new-era-of-patient-choice/">Doctify launches in Saudi Arabia to support a new era of patient choice</a> appeared first on <a href="https://dharab.com">DH Arab</a>.</p>
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		<title>QT Imaging wins Saudi Arabia approval for radiation-free breast scanner</title>
		<link>https://dharab.com/qt-imaging-wins-saudi-arabia-approval-for-radiation-free-breast-scanner/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[wpx_dharab]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sat, 06 Jun 2026 03:06:40 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Government]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://dharab.com/qt-imaging-wins-saudi-arabia-approval-for-radiation-free-breast-scanner/</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Medical device company can now sell its Breast Acoustic CT technology across the Kingdom through distribution partner</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://dharab.com/qt-imaging-wins-saudi-arabia-approval-for-radiation-free-breast-scanner/">QT Imaging wins Saudi Arabia approval for radiation-free breast scanner</a> appeared first on <a href="https://dharab.com">DH Arab</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="https://www.qtimaging.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">QT Imaging</a> has received regulatory clearance from Saudi Arabia&#8217;s Food and Drug Authority to market and sell its radiation-free breast imaging scanner throughout the Kingdom. The approval opens up one of the Middle East&#8217;s largest healthcare markets for the California-based medical device company.</p>
<p>The clearance allows QT Imaging&#8217;s distribution partner, Gulf Medical Co., to begin commercial activities with healthcare institutions across Saudi Arabia. QT Imaging signed an exclusive distribution deal with Gulf Medical in August 2025, but needed regulatory approval before sales could begin.</p>
<h2>How does it work?</h2>
<p>QT Imaging&#8217;s Breast Acoustic CT scanner uses low-frequency sound waves instead of radiation to create 3D images of breast tissue. The technology offers several patient benefits:</p>
<ul>
<li>No radiation exposure during scanning</li>
<li>No breast compression required</li>
<li>3D imaging capabilities for detailed visualization</li>
<li>Designed to improve patient comfort during screening</li>
</ul>
<p>The scanner aims to make breast imaging more accessible and patient-friendly while maintaining diagnostic quality. This approach addresses common patient concerns about traditional mammography, including radiation exposure and the discomfort of breast compression.</p>
<h2>Why does it matter?</h2>
<p>Saudi Arabia has identified women&#8217;s healthcare as a priority under its Vision 2030 reform program. Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women in the Kingdom, creating strong demand for advanced screening technologies.</p>
<p>The approval gives QT Imaging access to a significant growth market. Saudi Arabia continues investing heavily in healthcare modernization through its Health Sector Transformation Program, which focuses on improving healthcare access, quality, and digital health infrastructure.</p>
<p>For QT Imaging, this represents a major step in its international expansion. The company now has regulatory clearances in both Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, establishing a commercial foundation in the Gulf region&#8217;s two largest healthcare markets.</p>
<h2>The context</h2>
<p>QT Imaging trades on Nasdaq under the ticker QTI and recently reported first quarter 2026 revenue of $6.5 million. The company has been working to commercialize its acoustic imaging technology and expand into international markets.</p>
<p>The medical imaging industry has seen growing interest in radiation-free alternatives to traditional mammography. Companies are developing various approaches to address patient comfort concerns while maintaining diagnostic accuracy.</p>
<p>&#8220;Receiving SFDA approval is a major achievement for QT Imaging and an important step in our global commercialization strategy,&#8221; said Satrajit Misra, the company&#8217;s Chief Commercial Officer. &#8220;Saudi Arabia represents one of the most attractive healthcare markets in the region.&#8221;</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://dharab.com/qt-imaging-wins-saudi-arabia-approval-for-radiation-free-breast-scanner/">QT Imaging wins Saudi Arabia approval for radiation-free breast scanner</a> appeared first on <a href="https://dharab.com">DH Arab</a>.</p>
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		<title>Pakistan wants Saudi Arabia&#8217;s help to digitize health records nationwide</title>
		<link>https://dharab.com/pakistan-wants-saudi-arabias-help-to-digitize-health-records-nationwide/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[wpx_dharab]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 03 Jun 2026 03:29:44 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Partnerships]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://dharab.com/pakistan-wants-saudi-arabias-help-to-digitize-health-records-nationwide/</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>The country plans to link medical records with national ID cards and reduce dependence on paper-based systems</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://dharab.com/pakistan-wants-saudi-arabias-help-to-digitize-health-records-nationwide/">Pakistan wants Saudi Arabia&#8217;s help to digitize health records nationwide</a> appeared first on <a href="https://dharab.com">DH Arab</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Pakistan is asking Saudi Arabia to help build a nationwide digital health records system that would let doctors access patient medical histories across hospitals and provinces. Health Minister Mustafa Kamal told Arab News the move would replace Pakistan&#8217;s current fragmented paper-based records that cause duplicate tests, treatment delays and gaps in patient care.</p>
<p>The proposed system copies Saudi Arabia&#8217;s Unified Health Record (UHR) platform, part of the Kingdom&#8217;s Vision 2030 reform program. Pakistan&#8217;s healthcare system has long used localized paper recordkeeping that limits sharing patient information between hospitals and provinces.</p>
<h2>What&#8217;s the plan?</h2>
<p>Pakistan wants to model its system on Saudi Arabia&#8217;s UHR platform, which allows healthcare providers to access patient information through a centralized digital platform. Kamal said he spoke with Saudi officials recently about learning from their experience.</p>
<p>The system would maintain updated patient records including:</p>
<ul>
<li>Disease history</li>
<li>Medications dispensed</li>
<li>Medical insurance information</li>
<li>Laboratory test results</li>
<li>Vaccinations</li>
<li>Referrals</li>
</ul>
<p>Kamal said his ministry is working with the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) to link citizens&#8217; medical records with their Computerized National Identity Cards (CNICs). &#8220;In the future, a patient&#8217;s CNIC could serve as their Medical Record number, allowing healthcare providers to access centralized medical histories across the country,&#8221; he said.</p>
<p>Pakistan is also exploring joint vaccine production with Saudi Arabia, Indonesia and China. Indonesia has agreed to transfer vaccine production technology, with Kamal expecting &#8220;a breakthrough very soon.&#8221;</p>
<h2>Why does it matter?</h2>
<p>Pakistan&#8217;s current paper-based system creates major inefficiencies in healthcare delivery. Patients often undergo duplicate tests when visiting different hospitals because doctors can&#8217;t access their previous medical records. This wastes time and money while potentially delaying critical treatment.</p>
<p>The vaccine production partnership addresses another pressing need. Pakistan requires around 130 million vaccine doses annually to immunize children against various diseases. The country currently spends up to $1.2 billion annually on vaccine imports and relies heavily on support from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.</p>
<p>International funding support is expected to decline by 2030, raising concerns about long-term vaccine supply sustainability. Local manufacturing would strengthen Pakistan&#8217;s health security, reduce import dependence, and conserve foreign exchange reserves.</p>
<h2>The context</h2>
<p>Digital health records systems have become standard in developed countries, but many developing nations still struggle with paper-based systems. Saudi Arabia&#8217;s investment in digital health infrastructure is part of its broader Vision 2030 economic diversification program.</p>
<p>Pakistan&#8217;s move reflects growing recognition that modern healthcare requires integrated digital systems. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted how fragmented health systems struggle to track patient data and coordinate care effectively.</p>
<p>The vaccine production initiative also fits Pakistan&#8217;s broader industrial policy goals. The country wants to develop export-oriented industries and reduce dependence on imports across multiple sectors, not just healthcare.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://dharab.com/pakistan-wants-saudi-arabias-help-to-digitize-health-records-nationwide/">Pakistan wants Saudi Arabia&#8217;s help to digitize health records nationwide</a> appeared first on <a href="https://dharab.com">DH Arab</a>.</p>
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		<title>Saudi Arabia builds AI-powered healthcare system with robotic surgery and virtual hospitals</title>
		<link>https://dharab.com/saudi-arabia-builds-ai-powered-healthcare-system-with-robotic-surgery-and-virtual-hospitals/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[wpx_dharab]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 03 Jun 2026 03:27:39 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Government]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://dharab.com/saudi-arabia-builds-ai-powered-healthcare-system-with-robotic-surgery-and-virtual-hospitals/</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Kingdom invests over $35 billion in health tech transformation as part of Vision 2030 goals</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://dharab.com/saudi-arabia-builds-ai-powered-healthcare-system-with-robotic-surgery-and-virtual-hospitals/">Saudi Arabia builds AI-powered healthcare system with robotic surgery and virtual hospitals</a> appeared first on <a href="https://dharab.com">DH Arab</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Saudi Arabia is building a healthcare system powered by artificial intelligence and medical robots. The Kingdom has committed over 133 billion Saudi riyals ($35 billion) to transform how it delivers medical care, moving from traditional treatment to prevention-focused digital health services.</p>
<p>The shift includes virtual hospitals serving nearly 600,000 patients, AI doctors for diagnosis, and robotic surgery systems across multiple regions. Major hospitals are now performing the world&#8217;s first fully robotic heart and liver transplants, while new technology measures vital signs without touching patients during the annual Hajj pilgrimage.</p>
<h2>What&#8217;s the news?</h2>
<p>Saudi Arabia announced major healthcare investments and technological deployments as part of its Vision 2030 transformation program. The Kingdom has allocated:</p>
<ul>
<li>31 billion riyals for hospital infrastructure</li>
<li>12 billion riyals for venture capital in health tech</li>
<li>2.3 billion riyals in life sciences development</li>
</ul>
<p>The Seha Virtual Hospital now connects 242 hospitals and serves over 597,000 patients, bridging geographic gaps in healthcare access. The Ministry of Health introduced an &#8220;AI Physician&#8221; virtual doctor system and partnered with Google to create a smart health coach through the Sehhaty mobile app.</p>
<p>Robotic surgery is expanding rapidly across the Kingdom. Hospitals are using Da Vinci, ROSA, and CORI robotic systems for heart procedures, organ transplants, tumor removal, and brain operations. King Faisal Specialist Hospital performed the world&#8217;s first fully robotic heart and liver transplants and completed seven cardiac procedures in a single robotic surgery.</p>
<p>For the 2025 Hajj season, Saudi Arabia deployed the &#8220;i-Selfie&#8221; system that measures vital signs and heart rhythms without contact using AI algorithms. The technology reduced patient assessment time by 70%, from seven minutes to two minutes.</p>
<h2>Why does it matter?</h2>
<p>This represents one of the world&#8217;s largest national investments in AI-powered healthcare. Saudi Arabia is positioning itself as a regional leader in medical technology, directly competing with established healthcare hubs like Singapore and the UAE.</p>
<p>The scale of investment signals serious intent beyond oil dependency. Healthcare technology exports could become a major revenue source as the Kingdom develops expertise in areas like robotic surgery and AI diagnostics that other countries need.</p>
<p>The Hajj pilgrimage creates a unique testing ground for mass healthcare technology deployment. Systems that work for millions of pilgrims in high-density environments could be exported to other countries facing similar challenges during emergencies or large gatherings.</p>
<p>Patient outcomes are already improving measurably. Robotic surgeries allow procedures through incisions as small as one centimeter compared to traditional cuts exceeding 10 centimeters, reducing pain and recovery time significantly.</p>
<h2>The context</h2>
<p>Saudi Arabia&#8217;s healthcare push is part of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman&#8217;s Vision 2030 plan to diversify the economy away from oil. The Kingdom faces pressure to create jobs for a young population while building new industries for the post-oil era.</p>
<p>The timing aligns with global healthcare technology adoption accelerated by COVID-19. Countries worldwide are investing heavily in digital health infrastructure, creating competition for talent and technology partnerships.</p>
<p>Several Saudi hospitals now rank globally for innovation. King Faisal Specialist Hospital ranked 12th worldwide among academic healthcare institutions in 2026, while the Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs earned recognition as Saudi Arabia&#8217;s top smart hospital for five consecutive years.</p>
<p>The Kingdom&#8217;s approach differs from other Gulf states by focusing on local development rather than just importing technology. The Biotech Accelerator partnership with BioLabs aims to build domestic healthcare companies, while the EYENAI project for diabetic retinopathy detection won gold at the 2025 Saudi Customer Experience Awards.</p>
<p>Success could make Saudi Arabia a major healthcare destination for the Middle East and Africa regions, potentially generating billions in medical tourism revenue while reducing the Kingdom&#8217;s current reliance on sending patients abroad for complex procedures.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://dharab.com/saudi-arabia-builds-ai-powered-healthcare-system-with-robotic-surgery-and-virtual-hospitals/">Saudi Arabia builds AI-powered healthcare system with robotic surgery and virtual hospitals</a> appeared first on <a href="https://dharab.com">DH Arab</a>.</p>
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