King Saud University Medical City Becomes First Saudi Health Facility To Submit UN Sustainability Report

King Saud University Medical City (KSUMC) has taken a significant step by submitting its sustainability report to the United Nations. This makes it the first Saudi government health facility to do so. The initiative aligns with Saudi Vision 2030 and the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), showcasing KSUMC's dedication to integrating healthcare with environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards.

Prof. Ahmad Salah Hersi, CEO of KSUMC, highlighted the facility's ambition to lead in specialized healthcare, medical education, and research. He stressed the importance of balancing innovation with social responsibility. Prof. Hersi attributed these accomplishments to strong leadership support and Saudi Vision 2030's focus on humanity, health, and the environment.

Prof. Saleh bin Abdulrahman bin Saleh, Chief Strategic Planning Officer at KSUMC, pointed out that the report underscores key areas reflecting their commitment to sustainability and excellence. Notable achievements include a 31% reduction in energy consumption, saving over 41.5 million kilowatt-hours annually. Additionally, carbon dioxide emissions decreased by 2,746 tons through solar energy use.

The medical city has also planted more than 47,000 trees and established an electric vehicle-charging network. These efforts demonstrate KSUMC's dedication to environmental sustainability. Furthermore, the facility is committed to inclusivity, with women holding 31% of leadership positions.

KSUMC provides over one million outpatient services each year and trains more than 8,000 healthcare professionals through 126 accredited programs. The medical city has also logged over 5,000 volunteer hours as part of its community engagement efforts.

Innovation and Research

Innovation is central to KSUMC's strategy. The facility has developed over 10 patented medical devices and hosted the Digital Health Innovation Hackathon "Healthon," offering prizes exceeding SAR600,000. Additionally, KSUMC published over 261 scientific papers.

The report highlights the human impact of KSUMC's activities. It includes performing over 500 cochlear implant surgeries and serving more than 60,000 families through the "A Doctor for Every Family" initiative.

Financial Achievements

Financially, KSUMC achieved savings exceeding SAR528 million through various efficiency projects. These financial gains reflect the facility's commitment to sustainable practices while maintaining high-quality healthcare services.

The submission of this report marks a milestone for KSUMC in its journey towards sustainability and excellence in healthcare delivery within Saudi Arabia.

With inputs from SPA