Three Saudi hospitals are among the top 250 hospitals in the world for 2026

In an achievement reflecting the rapid development witnessed by the health sector in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, three Saudi hospitals were included in Newsweek magazine's list of the 250 best hospitals in the world for 2026. This international recognition confirms the success of ambitious national strategies, most notably the Kingdom's Vision 2030 and the Health Sector Transformation Program, which aim to raise the quality of healthcare and enhance the Kingdom's position as a leading destination in this field.

Details of the achievement and the hospitals included

King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre at the forefront, achieving a qualitative leap by ranking 153rd globally, advancing 56 places from its ranking last year of 209. This significant progress reflects the ongoing efforts to improve operational efficiency and the quality of medical services provided.

The list also saw the entry of two Saudi hospitals for the first time, namely Dr. Sulaiman Faqih Hospital, which ranked 206th globally, and Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare, which ranked 220th. The entry of these two hospitals highlights the growing competitiveness of Saudi health institutions and the integration of roles between the public and private sectors to achieve the goals of the Vision.

General context: Vision 2030 as a driver of health development

This achievement did not come about by chance; rather, it is a direct result of the massive investments and strategic plans spearheaded by the Kingdom's Vision 2030. The Health Sector Transformation Program, one of the Vision's key initiatives, aims to restructure the healthcare system to be more efficient and effective, focusing on preventative measures, promoting public health, and facilitating access to healthcare services for all members of society. The Ministry of Health has worked to raise quality and governance standards and implement global best practices, contributing to a competitive environment that encourages medical institutions to excel and innovate.

The importance and expected impact of the achievement

This international recognition carries significant implications on various levels:

• Locally: It enhances the confidence of citizens and residents in the national health system, reduces the need to travel abroad for treatment, and provides an incentive for other health institutions to raise their performance level.
• Regionally: It consolidates the Kingdom’s position as a leading healthcare center in the Middle East region, opening new horizons in the field of medical tourism and attracting patients from neighboring countries.
• Internationally: It puts Saudi Arabia on the global healthcare map and enhances its reputation as a country capable of providing world-class medical services, attracting international medical talent and foreign investment in this vital sector.

Global Ranking Methodology

Newsweek's ranking, produced in partnership with the global data platform Statista, is a trusted benchmark for evaluating hospital performance worldwide. Its comprehensive methodology is based on several rigorous criteria, including surveys of more than 80,000 medical experts, key performance indicators related to quality of care and patient safety, and assessments of patient experiences, making it a thorough and objective evaluation.