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RIYADH: The King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre this week set a world record by performing 10 kidney exchange transplants in just 48 hours.

The achievement coincided with World Organ Donation Day, which falls on Aug. 13 and aims to raise awareness of the importance of organ donation.

Dr. Ehab Abufarhaneh, deputy executive director of the hospital’s Organ Transplant Center of Excellence, told Arab News: “KFSHRC performed the kidney exchange transplants over two consecutive days setting a global record. This happened with a great team led by Dr. Khaled Almashary and Dr.Tariq Ali of the department of kidney and pancreas transplant.

“This initiative opens a door for many patients who have no suitable donor.”

The KFSHRC said the record was for the highest number of such procedures conducted within a two-day span at a single center.

“This milestone reinforces the hospital’s position as a global leader in organ transplantation. It also reflects its high clinical readiness, the seamless coordination of its multidisciplinary medical teams and the advanced systems for managing donor-recipient matching, alongside its extensive experience in executing complex transplant procedures,” it said.

Paired kidney transplantation is an innovative approach where two or more incompatible donor-recipient pairs swap kidneys to achieve compatible transplants. The process significantly improves compatibility rates and offers hope to patients who face challenges in finding a suitable match within their families.

Last year, the KFSHRC celebrated another milestone with the completion of its 500th transplant since the program was launched in 2011. Since the creation of its organ transplantation program in 1981, it has successfully performed more then 5,000 kidney transplants, placing it among an elite group of global transplant centers.

Last year it conducted 80 pediatric kidney transplants, more than any other facility in the world for the period.

By leveraging its skilled workforce, advanced technologies and the integration of research and clinical programs, the KFSHRC aims to deliver world-class treatment while enhancing the Kingdom’s position as a leader in organ transplantation.

In 2023 and 2024 it ranked first in the Middle East and North Africa region and 15th globally on the list of the world’s top 250 academic medical centers and was last year recognized as the most valuable healthcare brand in the Kingdom and the Middle East by Brand Finance rankings.

It also ranked among the world’s 250 best hospitals in 2024 and was included in Newsweek magazine’s list of best smart hospitals for 2025.

RIYADH: The Saudi Organization for Certified Public Accountants will make its fellowship available internationally by offering their exam in English alongside Arabic. 

Registration will begin on Thursday and the first exam will be held in September.

“The SOCPA fellowship has gained recognition from respected professional bodies around the world for its rigorous standards and advanced curriculum, making it one of the most sought-after qualifications in accounting and auditing,” according to a press release issued by the organization on Tuesday.

Accountants and professionals from any country can earn the fellowship by completing the program and taking the exam in English. The exam consists of 75 percent multiple-choice questions and 25 percent essay questions. 

It includes six main subjects: Financial accounting, managerial and governmental accounting, auditing, zakat and tax, business environment, and regulations. It combines academic study with practical application.

Ahmed Al-Meghames, CEO of SOCPA, told Arab News: “The SOCPA fellowship is distinguished by its standardized accounting content and diversity, covering accounting aspects and the environment in which it operates.”

“It prepares holders to work efficiently in diverse and multifaceted regulatory environments,” he said.

“Our vision is for the SOCPA fellowship to become a global benchmark for excellence in accounting, reflecting international best practices and highlighting the Kingdom’s leadership in the accounting sector,” Al-Meghames said. 

This aligned with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 to diversify the economy, develop human capital and solidify the Kingdom’s position as a regional and global hub for financial and professional services.

“Our strategy combines competition and integration while fulfilling the aspirations of beneficiaries of accounting and financial services in the Kingdom,” Al-Meghames said.

The number of professional licenses issued in the past five years has increased by 126 percent compared to the total issued since SOCPA’s establishment in 1992.

“This reflects the significant progress witnessed by the Saudi accounting sector,” he said.