A Year of Groundbreaking Achievements in Organ Transplants at KFSHRC

Over 880 Transplants, Including World-First Robotic Surgeries, Solidify KFSHRC's Position as a Global Leader

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Jan. 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre (KFSHRC) proudly celebrates a year of remarkable achievements through its Organ Transplant Centre of Excellence (OTCoE). These milestones highlight KFSHRC’s leadership in healthcare innovation and its commitment to improving patient outcomes as it prepares to showcase its trailblazing contributions to global healthcare at Arab Health 2025 in Dubai.

In 2024, KFSHRC’s Organ Transplant Centre of Excellence performed 882 organ transplants, reflecting a 6% increase from 2023. This solidified its position among the top ten transplant centers worldwide. The hospital’s kidney transplant program also marked a major milestone, surpassing 5,000 transplants since its inception, demonstrating its unparalleled expertise in addressing complex medical challenges with precision and care.

Building on this foundation, innovations in robotic surgery defined the year. KFSHRC achieved several world-firsts, including the first fully robotic heart transplant, the first living donor left lobe liver transplant, and the first robotic pancreas transplant in the Middle East, offering transformative solutions for Type 1 diabetes patients. The hospital also performed the region’s first liver transplant for MNGIE disease, contributing to the treatment of rare and complex conditions.

KFSHRC’s leadership in pediatric transplants was another standout achievement. In 2024, the hospital performed over 100 liver transplants, 80 kidney transplants, and two lung transplants, providing hope for young patients and their families. This positioned KFSHRC among the top five centers worldwide for pediatric transplant procedures. Additionally, its kidney-paired exchange program set a new Guinness World Record with 135 exchanges, optimizing donor-recipient matching.

Alongside these clinical advancements, KFSHRC continued to maintain high survival and graft rates while expanding its specialized care offerings, including the launch of a new liver transplant center in Jeddah and the region’s first Fatty Liver Clinic.

KFSHRC also strengthened its global presence and commitment to innovation in specialty medicine. Its OTCoE hosted the inaugural Minimally Invasive Organ Transplant Consensus Conference (MIOT.CC), which brought together 80 international experts to discuss innovative transplant techniques and set global standards in the field.

In addition to these achievements, KFSHRC has earned significant recognition. It was ranked first in the Middle East and Africa and 20th globally in the list of the world’s top 250 Academic Medical Centres for the second consecutive year. It has also been recognized as the most valuable healthcare brand in the Kingdom and the Middle East, according to the 2024 Brand Finance rankings. Furthermore, KFSHRC was included in the World’s Best Smart Hospitals list for 2025 by Newsweek magazine.