JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia – September 6, 2026: International Medical Center (IMC) has inaugurated its expanded Emergency Department and Center of Excellence for Cardiac Care, marking the largest expansion in the center’s history since opening in 2006 and coinciding with the 20th anniversary of its journey in delivering advanced healthcare in the Kingdom.
The expansion reflects IMC’s continued commitment to strengthening its emergency and critical care capabilities through an integrated medical environment that combines rapid response, clinical expertise and advanced technologies, while maintaining a strong focus on patient needs, privacy and dignity.
Dr. Walid Fitaihi, President of International Medical Center, said the new facilities represent a significant milestone in IMC’s journey and its commitment to advancing patient-centered healthcare in Jeddah.
“The opening of the expanded Emergency Department and Center of Excellence for Cardiac Care represents an important milestone in IMC’s journey, as it renews our commitment to the people of Jeddah to continue investing in advanced, patient-centered healthcare,” said Dr. Fitaihi.
“In emergency and cardiac cases, every minute makes a difference. That is why we designed this integrated system to be more coordinated, faster and more efficient because every minute… is a life.”
Dr. Fitaihi added that the projects represent more than a physical expansion, describing them as an investment in time, quality of care and, ultimately, patients’ lives.
“The integration of the Emergency Department, Cardiac Care Unit, catheterization laboratory and hybrid laboratory eliminates critical steps in the patient journey at a time when every second matters,” he said.
Expanding Emergency Care Capacity
The project covers a total area of 7,052 square meters, including 3,039 square meters of medical space, 1,468 square meters of non-medical space and 2,545 square meters of outdoor space. The development also introduces a new eastern entrance to the Emergency Department.
The first phase of the Emergency Department expansion includes 14 treatment rooms, one resuscitation room, three fast-track rooms, two triage rooms and an existing isolation room.
The new spaces have been designed to enhance the patient journey and accelerate assessment and treatment, enabling the department to efficiently manage a broad range of medical conditions. Less severe cases can benefit from dedicated fast-track pathways, while critical patients requiring immediate resuscitation and intervention can receive rapid and coordinated care.
Integrated Cardiac Care Under One Roof
The expansion also features a 12-bed Cardiac Care Unit (CCU), including two isolation rooms, alongside a cardiac catheterization laboratory and a hybrid laboratory.
The hybrid laboratory combines advanced imaging technologies with a surgical environment in a single space, allowing complex procedures to be performed without transferring patients between multiple locations.
By bringing the Emergency Department, Cardiac Care Unit, catheterization laboratory and hybrid laboratory together within one integrated system and on the same floor, IMC aims to enhance response times for critical cardiac cases and reduce the time between a patient’s arrival and the start of medical intervention.
The Center of Excellence for Cardiac Care is led by Dr. Bassam Tayyeb and a specialized medical team. In January 2025, IMC performed the Kingdom’s first treatment for atrial fibrillation using Pulsed Field Ablation (PFA) technology, marking a significant milestone in the advancement of cardiac care.
A Commitment to International Quality Standards
The expansion forms part of IMC’s ongoing commitment to international healthcare quality and clinical excellence. International Medical Center has received Joint Commission International (JCI) accreditation seven consecutive times.
The center has also achieved Center of Excellence accreditation for hernia surgery in November 2025 and orthopedic surgery in July 2026, further reinforcing its focus on specialized care and international standards.
Looking Ahead
The current development represents the first phase of a broader growth plan. The second phase of the Emergency Department expansion is expected to include two trauma rooms, an additional resuscitation room, six pediatric treatment rooms, a pediatric isolation room, an adult isolation room and a dedicated section for emergency medical services.
IMC’s wider expansion plans also include the development of the International Medical Center hospital in North Obhur, Jeddah, covering an area of 20,800 square meters, as well as the International Medical Center College, which welcomed its first students this year. The organization is also continuing the development of its facility in Makkah and other community-based healthcare projects.
As it enters a new chapter after two decades of service, International Medical Center has summarized its vision for this phase under the slogan: “Because Every Minute… Is a Life.”
The message reflects IMC’s commitment to delivering faster, integrated and patient-centered emergency and cardiac care while continuing to develop its services to meet the evolving healthcare needs of Jeddah and the wider region.
