On May 30th , His Excellecy the Minister of Health, Mr. Fahad bin Abdulrahman Al-Jalajel, honored Dr. Khaled Manna Al-Kattan, Dean of the College of Medicine at Alfaisal University and consultant in lung surgery and transplantation at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, at the Saudi Organ Transplantation Congress 2025 organized by the Saudi Center for Organ Transplantation.
Dr. Al-Kattan was recognized for his exceptional contributions to organ transplant programs, particularly his pioneering role in lung transplantation in Saudi Arabia. With a career spanning over 25 years since 1998, Dr. Al-Kattan has participated in more than 300 lung transplant surgeries.
Reflecting on the growth of the program, Dr. Al-Kattan shared that it began with just 3 to 5 lung transplants each year. Today, the number of annual lung transplant surgeries has increased to 40, showcasing the program’s significant expansion.
Dr. Al-Kattan also highlighted Saudi Arabia’s leadership in organ transplantation globally. The Kingdom has not only increased the number of transplants performed but has also excelled in the organization of transplantation programs and the use of advanced techniques, such as robotic surgery. Notably, Saudi Arabia was the first country in the world to perform robotic liver transplants and complete robotic heart transplants, setting global standards in these highly specialized procedures.
Alfaisal University proudly celebrates this recognition which underscores Dr. Al-Kattan’s outstanding achievements in the field of lung transplantation, as well as the significant contributions of Saudi medical professionals to organ transplantation. It also highlights Saudi Arabia’s remarkable success in achieving one of the highest success rates for lung transplants globally, surpassing 90%. The award further emphasizes the importance of promoting organ donation, aligning with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 to improve the quality of life and enhance healthcare services.
Notably, Saudi Arabia’s position among the top countries in the world for organ transplant success, especially in kidney, liver, and lung transplants, is a testament to the excellence of medical teams and healthcare infrastructure in the Kingdom.
