Hospitals

First: Requirements for initial approval
This stage aims to ensure the investor's eligibility and the site's safety before commencing construction work. It includes the following:
  • Legal documents:
    • A copy of the establishment's commercial register.
    • A copy of the title deed or lease contract for the site designated for the hospital (the lease contract must be for a period of no less than 15 years).
    • Investment license from the Ministry of Investment (for non-Saudi investors).
  • Location and plans:
    • Approval of the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing for the site.
    • A traffic study approved by an engineering office to determine entry and exit locations, the number of parking spaces, and evaluate their impact on the road network.
    • Preliminary engineering drawings of the facility, approved by an engineering office specializing in the design of health facilities.
  • General requirements:
    • The minimum number of beds in a general hospital should be 30.
    • The minimum number of beds in a specialized hospital is 10 beds.
Second: Requirements for issuing the final license (after completion of construction)
After the hospital is completed, the investor must meet the following conditions to obtain the final operating license:
  • Engineering and security approvals:
    • A copy of the building permit issued by the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing.
    • Approval of the final engineering plans of the facility by the Ministry of Health.
    • Obtaining approval from the General Directorate of Civil Defense.
    • Submit a contract with a security guard company.
  • Health cadres:
First: Preliminary Approval Requirements
This stage aims to verify the investor's financial and legal eligibility, and to ensure that the proposed location is suitable for the activity.
  • Legal and Administrative Requirements:
    • Commercial Register: The establishment must have a valid commercial registration, including the activity "Long-term Care Hospital".
    • Ownership/Lease Contract: Submit a copy of the ownership deed or lease contract for the location, provided the contract duration is at least 15 years.
    • ID: A copy of the investor's ID (if an individual) or IDs of the investors.
  • Engineering and Site Requirements:
    • Municipality Approval: Obtain approval from the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing for the site.
    • Traffic Study: Submit an approved traffic study from an engineering office to determine parking, entry and exit points, and assess the project's impact on surrounding roads.
    • Preliminary Engineering Plans: Submit hospital engineering plans approved by an engineering office specialized in designing healthcare facilities.
Second: Final Operating License Requirements
After obtaining preliminary approval and completing construction and outfitting, this stage is for obtaining the final license.
  • Engineering and Technical Requirements:
    • Building Permit: Submit a copy of the building permit issued by the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing.
    • Civil Defense Approval: Obtain approval from the General Directorate of Civil Defense.
    • Infection Control: Implement a comprehensive infection control system and a safe medical waste disposal system.
  • Medical Staff Requirements:
    • Medical Director: Must be a qualified Saudi physician with at least 3 years of administrative experience in a medical facility.
    • Professional Registration: All healthcare staff (doctors, nurses, technicians) must hold valid professional registration from the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties.
    • Staffing Ratios: Comply with the minimum required medical staff per bed according to Ministry of Health regulations.
  • Equipment and Facilities:
    • Fully equip the hospital with furniture, medical equipment, and devices necessary for long-term patient care, which may include:
      • Mechanical ventilators
      • Critical care monitoring devices
      • Specialized hospital beds
      • Physiotherapy and rehabilitation equipment
    • On-site medical laboratory and radiology unit.
    • In-house pharmacy compliant with regulations.
  • Additional Requirements:
    • Insurance: Obtain medical malpractice insurance.
    • Accreditation: Obtain accreditation from the Saudi Center for Accreditation of Healthcare Institutions (CBAHI), a mandatory condition for licensing and operation.
First: Requirements for Preliminary Approval
This stage aims to verify the investor's eligibility and ensure the basic requirements of the project are met.
  • Legal Documents:
    • Commercial Register: The establishment must have a valid commercial registration, including the activity "Addiction Treatment and Rehabilitation Hospital".
    • Ownership Deed or Lease Contract: Submit a copy of the ownership deed or lease contract for a minimum period of 15 years.
    • Security Approval: Obtain prior security approval from the General Directorate for Drug Control, which is mandatory to proceed with the process.
  • Site and Plans:
    • Municipality Approval: Obtain approval from the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing for the location.
    • Traffic Study: Submit an approved traffic study from an engineering office to determine entry/exit points and parking areas.
    • Preliminary Engineering Plans: Submit preliminary engineering plans for the hospital, approved by a specialized engineering office, taking into account security and patient privacy requirements.
Second: Requirements for Final Licensing (After Construction Completion)
After construction is complete, the next stage involves outfitting and meeting technical and operational requirements:
  • Technical and Security Approvals:
    • Building Permit: Submit a copy of the building permit issued by the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing.
    • Civil Defense Approval: Obtain approval from the General Directorate of Civil Defense.
    • Security Equipment: The hospital must be equipped with a 24-hour security surveillance system, high-definition cameras, alarm systems, and secured doors and windows to prevent patient escape or the entry of prohibited substances.
    • Security Company: Sign a contract with a licensed and certified security company.
  • Medical and Professional Staff:
    • Medical Director: Must be a Saudi physician with experience in addiction treatment and hold a valid professional classification from the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties.
    • Healthcare Staff: All doctors, psychologists, social workers, and nurses must have valid professional classification from the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties.
    • Staffing and Experience: The medical team must include psychiatrists and specialists in addiction treatment.
  • Facilities and Equipment:
    • Spaces: The hospital must have dedicated areas for addiction treatment and rehabilitation, including:
      • Detox rooms.
      • Individual patient rooms.
      • Group therapy halls.
      • Areas for sports and recreational activities.
    • Pharmacy: An in-house pharmacy compliant with Ministry of Health regulations, safely handling controlled medications.
    • Laboratory and Radiology: Provide a medical laboratory and radiology unit.
  • Additional Requirements:
    • Insurance: Obtain medical malpractice insurance.
    • Accreditation: Obtain accreditation from the Saudi Center for Accreditation of Healthcare Institutions (CBAHI), a mandatory condition for licensing and operation.
    • Internal Regulations: The hospital must have detailed internal regulations outlining admission procedures, treatment, and handling of emergency cases.
First: Requirements for Preliminary Approval
This stage aims to verify the investor’s eligibility and the suitability of the site before starting construction.
  • Legal and Administrative Documents:
    • Commercial Register: The establishment must have a valid commercial registration, including the activity "Critical Care Center".
    • Ownership Deed or Lease Contract: Submit a copy of the ownership deed or lease contract for the site, with a minimum lease period of 5 years.
  • Site and Plans:
    • Municipality Approval: Obtain approval from the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing for the site.
    • Preliminary Engineering Plans: Submit preliminary engineering plans for the center, approved by a specialized engineering office in healthcare facility design. The plans must show:
      • Number of intensive care beds.
      • Isolation rooms.
      • Nursing station locations.
      • Patient family waiting rooms.
      • Movement paths for medical staff and equipment.
      • Ventilation system and negative/positive pressure.
Second: Requirements for Final Licensing (After Construction Completion)
After obtaining preliminary approval and completing construction and outfitting, this stage begins.
  • Engineering and Technical Requirements:
    • Building Permit: Submit a copy of the building permit issued by the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing.
    • Civil Defense Approval: Obtain approval from the General Directorate of Civil Defense.
    • Infection Control System: A strict and independent infection control system must be in place, including proper medical waste management.
    • Ventilation System: Intensive care units must be equipped with advanced central ventilation and air conditioning systems to ensure air quality and control temperature and humidity.
  • Specialized Medical Staff:
    • Medical Director: Must be a Saudi intensivist consultant with a valid professional classification from the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties.
    • Medical Team: The team must include intensive care specialists and consultants, along with qualified nurses experienced in critical care.
    • Staffing Ratios: Comply with the minimum required medical staff per ICU bed, typically one nurse per patient (1:1) and one doctor per 6–8 patients, or as defined by the Ministry of Health.
  • Equipment and Facilities:
    • ICU Beds: Must be fully equipped with multifunctional (electric) beds with vital signs monitoring.
    • Medical Equipment: Provide essential devices and equipment, including:
      • Mechanical ventilators.
      • Dialysis machines (if applicable).
      • Automated external defibrillators (AED).
      • IV infusion pumps.
      • Central vital signs monitoring systems.
    • Oxygen and Medical Gas System: All beds must be connected to a centralized oxygen and medical gas system.
  • Additional Requirements:
    • Insurance: Obtain medical malpractice insurance.
    • Accreditation: Obtain accreditation from the Saudi Center for Accreditation of Healthcare Institutions (CBAHI), mandatory for all healthcare facilities.