Abstract :

ABSTRACT

Saudi Arabia has undergone significant developments in healthcare since its founding in 1932, with the healthcare sector being a focal point for sustainable growth. The Kingdom’s efforts have resulted in a robust public and private healthcare system, ranking 26th globally in healthcare services. The introduction of modern healthcare dates to 1925, with the formal establishment of the Ministry of Health in 1951. Since then, Saudi Arabia has made remarkable progress, particularly in radiation oncology. Though discovered in 1895, radiation therapy was unavailable in Saudi Arabia until 1976 when King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Center (KFSHRC) established the first radiation oncology unit. This marked the beginning of a series of advancements, with multiple centers being inaugurated over the years across the Kingdom. Today, Saudi Arabia has over 40 high-energy radiotherapy machines spread across its major cities, with the Saudi Proton Therapy Center being a significant recent development. Pioneering radiation oncologists such as Dr. Abdullah Al Amro and Dr. Mushabbab Al Asiri have contributed to the growth of this field. While much progress has been made, the increasing incidence of cancer highlights the ongoing need for further expansion of radiation oncology services, necessitating continued investment in infrastructure and specialized training programs to meet emerging trends in cancer care.

Keywords: Radiation Oncology in Saudi Arabia; Medical History of Saudi Arabia; Saudi Arabia Healthcare Development; Cancer Care Trends in Saudi Arabia; Saudi Healthcare Pioneers.