King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center (KFSHRC) has emerged among the best smart hospitals in the world in the World’s Best Smart Hospitals 2025 survey, published by Newsweek magazine.
The KFSHRC has secured its rank on the list for utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, robotics, digital imaging, and telemedicine technologies to deliver high-quality services and enhance patients’ experiences and operational efficiency. This inclusion underscores the Saudi hospital’s status as a leading healthcare institution.
Ranking Criteria
The Newsweek list includes 350 hospitals from 28 countries worldwide, recognized for their excellence in technological innovation, and their leading initiatives to promote the concept of smart hospitals.
The ranking is based on an international survey of hospital managers and healthcare professionals, locally and internationally, to nominate leading hospitals in this area.
It also used the results of the Smart Hospitals Maturity Survey (SSHMS), which evaluates digital technology adoption in hospitals. Moreover, the ranking took in consideration the Joint Commission International (JCI) accreditation.
Utilizing Technology
Newsweek publishes the “World’s Best Smart Hospitals” list annually since 2022, in partnership with the market data and research company, Statista.
Hospitals included in the list are recognized for harnessing advanced technologies that support the medical staff, allowing them to make faster and more accurate decisions.
This boosts treatment efficiency and reduces the time required for diagnosis and therapeutic procedures. Hence, it raises the quality of care services and enhances patients’ experiences.
KFSHRC Achievements
KFSHRC has achieved a streak of accomplishments. It has secured the top rank in the Middle East and Africa and 20th globally in the list of the world’s top 250 Academic Medical Centers for the second consecutive year.
The 2024 Brand Finance rankings has also recognized the hospital as the most valuable healthcare brand in the Kingdom and the Middle East. The hospital also emerged among the world’s best 250 hospitals in Newsweek Magazine 2024 list.
In another groundbreaking medical achievement, KFSHRC has managed to perform the world’s first fully robotic heart transplant on a 16-year-old patient suffering from end-stage heart failure.
Saudi Robust Health Sector
In addition to KFSHRC, the World’s Best Smart Hospitals 2025 list included three other Saudi hospitals: King Abdulaziz Hospital in Al Ahasa, King Abdulaziz Medical City in Riyadh, and Almoosa Specialist Hospital in Al Ahsa.
The inclusion of four Saudi hospitals on the list highlights the outstanding efficiency and excellence of the Saudi healthcare sector.
It also underscores the success of the Health Sector Transformation Program’s initiatives. The Program was launched under Saudi Vision 2030 to position the Kingdom as a global leader in healthcare innovation and excellence.
