KFSHRC Accredited as National Reference Center for Metagenomics Research Services

 The Genome Medicine Center of Excellence at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre (KFSHRC) has obtained international accreditation from Oxford Nanopore Technologies as a certified service provider in metagenomics, positioning itself as the national reference laboratory capable of analyzing the genetic material of all microorganisms with high accuracy and speed. This achievement marks a significant advancement in diagnosing infectious diseases and reinforces KFSHRC’s role as a leading healthcare and research institution that contributes to community protection and supports the Kingdom’s health security.

 According to a press release from KFSHRC, metagenomics provides an advanced alternative to conventional diagnostic methods that require days to isolate and culture microbes. It enables the detection of resistant or mutated pathogens that traditional microbiology techniques may fail to identify, allowing for timely therapeutic interventions, reducing the spread of infections, and limiting complications and antimicrobial resistance.

 The accreditation consolidates KFSHRC’s position as a national reference, supporting hospitals and healthcare facilities across the Kingdom with advanced laboratory services, while also strengthening its presence within a global network of accredited research centers that employ metagenomics technologies as a pivotal tool in combating epidemics and enhancing health security.

 The release also highlighted that this milestone reflects KFSHRC’s commitment to adopting cutting-edge global technologies to serve patients, as well as its role as a national research infrastructure that supports healthcare providers, improves diagnostic and therapeutic quality, and enhances the efficiency of the healthcare system. It aligns with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 and the national health transformation program.

 KFSHRC has been ranked first in the Middle East and North Africa and 15th globally in the list of the world’s top 250 Academic Medical Centers for the second consecutive year and has been recognized as the most valuable healthcare brand in the Kingdom and the Middle East, according to the 2025 Brand Finance rankings. Additionally, it was included in the World’s Best Smart Hospitals list for 2025 by Newsweek magazine.