Riyadh – King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre (KFSHRC) in Riyadh has achieved significant recognition in global healthcare, securing the top position among hospitals in Arab and African countries. For the fourth consecutive year, the hospital has been ranked as the best in Saudi Arabia, according to Newsweek’s 2025 list of the world’s best hospitals.
The hospital saw a notable improvement in its global standing, jumping 20 places from last year, marking a 9 percent rise in the prestigious ranking. Currently ranked 209th globally, KFSHRC is the only hospital from Arab and African nations to make the global list.
This year, more than 2,400 hospitals worldwide were evaluated, with the top 250 being ranked in Newsweek’s annual listing. According to Statista, the global number of hospitals is expected to exceed 215,977 by 2026, underscoring the magnitude of KFSHRC’s achievement in this highly competitive field.
The hospital’s consistent excellence is reflected in its groundbreaking medical achievements. These include performing the world’s first fully robotic heart transplant and the first fully robotic implantation of an artificial heart pump. Additionally, in 2024, KFSHRC set a record with 1,111 organ transplants, including 500 successful kidney transplants through its paired exchange program.
KFSHRC’s reputation extends beyond its impressive surgeries; it has also provided top-tier medical care to patients from 17 countries. This further cements Saudi Arabia’s status as a leading healthcare destination.
Moreover, KFSHRC ranked first in the Middle East and North Africa and 15th globally in the world’s top 250 Academic Medical Centers. For the second consecutive year, it was recognized as the most valuable healthcare brand in Saudi Arabia and the broader Middle East region in the 2025 Brand Finance rankings.