The King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre (KFSHRC) has set a new world record. It performed 10 kidney exchange transplants in just 48 hours. The achievement came on World Organ Donation Day, August 13.
The procedures took place over two consecutive days. They were led by Dr. Khaled Almashary and Dr. Tariq Ali from the kidney and pancreas transplant department. Dr. Ehab Abufarhaneh, deputy executive director of the Organ Transplant Center of Excellence, said the success offers new hope to patients without suitable donors.
This is the highest number of kidney exchange procedures ever performed at one center in such a short time. It reflects KFSHRC’s expertise, teamwork, and advanced matching systems. Paired kidney transplantation allows incompatible donor-recipient pairs to swap kidneys, improving compatibility and saving more lives.
KFSHRC began its organ transplant program in 1981. Since then, it has performed over 5,000 kidney transplants. In 2024, the hospital completed its 500th transplant. Last year, it conducted 80 pediatric kidney transplants — the highest number in the world for that period.
The hospital combines advanced technology, research, and skilled teams to lead globally in organ transplantation. In 2023–24, it ranked first in the Middle East and North Africa and 15th worldwide among the top 250 academic medical centers. It was also named in Newsweek’s list of the best smart hospitals for 2025. Brand Finance ranked it as the most valuable healthcare brand in the Kingdom and the region.
This record highlights KFSHRC’s pioneering role in transplantation. It also stresses the importance of organ donation in saving lives around the world.
