KFSH listed by BIPM as Saudi national reference for medical radiation measurement

King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre’s Secondary Standards Dosimetry Laboratory has been officially listed by the International Bureau of Weights and Measures as a national reference in medical radiation measurement. The designation strengthens Saudi Arabia’s ability to verify the accuracy of radiation doses and equipment used in diagnosis and treatment against international standards.

Why it matters: - The BIPM listing gives Saudi healthcare providers a national reference point for verifying radiation measurements used in cancer treatment and diagnosis. - Accurate, traceable radiation measurement supports patient safety, treatment precision and the reliability of diagnostic imaging. - The designation strengthens Saudi Arabia’s national measurement infrastructure in a field where small errors can affect clinical outcomes.

What happened: - King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, through its Secondary Standards Dosimetry Laboratory, was officially listed by the International Bureau of Weights and Measures as a national reference in medical radiation measurement. - The listing was announced in Riyadh on Oct. 20, 2026. - The designation covers specialized reference services for calibration and measurement of radiation used in healthcare.

The details: - The laboratory can support calibration for radiotherapy equipment used in cancer treatment. - The laboratory also covers brachytherapy, diagnostic radiology, measurements of radioactivity and neutrons. - The reference role helps healthcare institutions confirm that measurement systems deliver accurate and traceable results. - The laboratory has more than four decades of experience in radiation measurement and calibration. - The laboratory supports Saudi Arabia’s national measurement infrastructure and medical radiation practices. - Executive Director of Research and Innovation Prof. Jackie Ying said the designation reflects decades of expertise and gives Saudi Arabia an internationally recognized reference that supports diagnosis, treatment, patient safety and quality of care.

Between the lines: - The listing signals that KFSH’s laboratory is not only serving hospital operations but also functioning as part of the country’s broader standards framework. - International recognition from BIPM can improve confidence in the measurements used across clinical settings. - KFSH is also using this milestone to reinforce its research and innovation profile alongside its clinical role. - KFSH was ranked first in the Middle East and Africa and 12th globally among the world’s top 250 academic medical centers for 2026. - Brand Finance named KFSH the most valuable healthcare brand in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East for 2026. - Newsweek recognized KFSH among the world’s best hospitals, best smart hospitals and best specialized hospitals for 2026.

What's next: - KFSH’s laboratory is positioned to continue providing calibration and measurement services for radiotherapy, brachytherapy and diagnostic radiology. - The new reference status is likely to deepen its role in Saudi Arabia’s medical measurement system and support ongoing quality assurance across healthcare institutions.