A fond farewell to a pioneer in health care – Abdulrahman A. Alswailem, DCH, FRCP (Edin) (1938–2026)

Résumé fourni par la source

Abdulrahman A. Alswailem, a visionary pediatrician, healthcare administrator, medical educator, and humanitarian leader who shaped modern healthcare services in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, passed away on 6 February 2026 at the age of 88. Born in Riyadh, Dr. Alswailem earned his medical degree from the University of Munich in 1966, where he also completed postgraduate training in pediatrics. He returned to Saudi Arabia during a formative period in the national healthcare system and dedicated himself to strengthening pediatric services across the Kingdom. Recognizing the need for advanced training in pediatrics for its citizens, he launched the Kingdom’s first diploma program in pediatrics at the Maternity and Children’s Hospital (MCH), Riyadh, in 1980 (1400 AH), in collaboration with Professor John Forfar of the University of Edinburgh. The program trained over 400 Saudi physicians, significantly expanding pediatric expertise nationwide. A committed educator and mentor, Dr. Alswailem helped establish additional postgraduate training pathways, organized national symposia, and fostered international collaborations. His mentorship shaped multiple generations of clinicians who now occupy leadership roles across hospitals and academic institutions in the Kingdom and beyond. Dr. Alswailem had a particular passion for pediatric kidney care. His support, encouragement, and personal involvement were instrumental in helping Dr. Mattoo establish the Kingdom’s first freestanding pediatric hemodialysis program at MCH in Riyadh. Inaugurated on 22 December 1987 alongside other healthcare leaders, as shown in Figure 1. He also founded the National Kidney Foundation, which later became the Saudi Center for Organ Transplantation, and was the driving force behind the creation of the Saudi Journal of Kidney Diseases and Transplantation, establishing an important regional platform for nephrology research and scholarship.Figure 1: Inaugurating the Kingdom’s first freestanding pediatric hemodialysis program at MCH in RiyadhDr. Alswailem held several senior administrative and advisory roles, including Deputy Minister of Health and Secretary General of the Council of Ministers of Health of the Gulf Cooperation Council, contributing to national and regional health policy. Within Saudi Arabia, he also served as Head of the Department of Pediatrics at MCH, Director General of Health Affairs in the Eastern Province, and President of the General Medical Board in Riyadh. From 1997 to 2005, he served as President of the Saudi Red Crescent Society, overseeing national emergency response and humanitarian initiatives. He was also President of the Saudi Pediatric Association; Vice Chairman of the Disabled Children’s Association and the Saudi Autism Association; and Chairman of the Health Charity Association for Patient Care (“Enaya”). As a member of the Shura Council for three terms, he advocated for child health and disability services. As an early proponent of telemedicine, he launched the “Doctor on the Phone” program to broaden access to medical advice. Dr. Alswailem was elected as a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh (FRCP Edin) in recognition of his academic distinction and professional standing. He received numerous awards, including the First-class Order of King Abdulaziz, the Princess Sita Award for Excellence in Social Work, and the Excellence in Nephrology Achievement Award from the Saudi Society of Nephrology and Transplantation. Through his transformative contributions to clinical care, medical education, health administration, and humanitarian service, Dr. Alswailem profoundly shaped health care in Saudi Arabia. While his influence extended across the health system, his enduring legacy lies in child health and pediatric kidney care. His vision, leadership, and commitment to training generations of clinicians continue to benefit countless children and families. He will be deeply missed, yet the impact of his work and the lives he touched will continue to resonate for generations to come.

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