The Ministry of Health has operated 77 hospitals and medical towers with a capacity of 11,161 beds over the past five years, according to ministry sources. A total of 295 hospitals with a total capacity of 38,970 beds are currently operational. Providing a report card for the past five years, sources stated that more than 12 million people visited hospital outpatient clinics and 22 million visited emergency rooms, while the ministry’s hospitals performed approximately 475,000 surgeries and 270,000 births.

The ministry is currently preparing and operating 88 specialized centers with a capacity of 700 beds across the country. Sources stated that 34 centers for treating heart, liver, diabetes, and other medical conditions have been established and operational over the past five years.

The ministry affirmed its commitment to expanding access to medical facilities and services throughout the Kingdom to reduce travel distances for patients. Sources revealed plans to establish five new medical cities with a capacity of up to 6,200 beds. These will include hospitals and specialized medical centers to treat a variety of medical conditions, including rare conditions.

The expansion is also planned for King Fahad Medical City in Riyadh, King Abdullah Medical City in Makkah, King Faisal Medical City, Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Medical City, and King Khalid Medical City to cover all geographic areas.

As for primary care centers, 848 have been built and operated over the past five years, bringing the total number of primary care centers in 1435 AH to 2,259.

Sources confirmed that the Ministry is working to develop various programs and services, including home medical services and doctor visits programs to cover rare specialties, electronic medical referral services, and kidney dialysis care through private sector providers.