In a landmark step toward shaping the future of healthcare in the Kingdom and beyond, Siemens Healthineers, in partnership with the Ministry of Health (MoH), announced the launch of the SHIFT Innovation Centre Riyadh – a first-of-its-kind hub designed to accelerate healthcare transformation through innovation, collaboration, and capacity building.
The SHIFT Innovation Centre Riyadh is part of the global SHIFT ecosystem by Siemens Healthineers, joining established centres in Erlangen, Bangalore, Shanghai, Istanbul, and Madrid. The new centre positions Saudi Arabia as a regional leader in healthcare innovation, supporting the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 to enhance healthcare quality, access, and sustainability through advanced technology and knowledge exchange.
“With the launch of the SHIFT Innovation Centre in Riyadh, we are creating an ecosystem where innovation meets collaboration,” said Björn Bodenstein, Managing Director Siemens Healthineers, Saudi Arabia. “Together with the Ministry of Health, we aim to empower healthcare professionals, nurture local talent, and accelerate solutions that address both current and future challenges.”
A hub for Co-creation and capacity building
The Riyadh centre will serve as a platform for co-creation, connecting government institutions, universities, hospitals, and startups to develop scalable, tech-enabled healthcare solutions. Through joint projects and open collaboration, the centre will tackle real-world healthcare challenges, from improving patient outcomes to enhancing operational efficiency.
The SHIFT Innovation Centre Riyadh is built on three core pillars:
- Innovation infrastructure – Providing access to advanced technologies, federated learning models, and expert advisory services to drive data-driven healthcare transformation.
- Technology accelerator – Identifying, validating, and scaling promising healthcare startups and solutions with the potential for regional and global impact.
- Capacity building programmes – Empowering a highly skilled workforce through hackathons, bootcamps, workshops, and training programmes focused on digital innovation and clinical excellence.
Through these pillars, the centre aims to foster partnerships, accelerate local innovation, and equip Saudi healthcare professionals with the tools and skills needed for the next generation of care delivery.
Driving Vision 2030 through innovation
Aligned with Saudi Vision 2030, the SHIFT Innovation Centre Riyadh reinforces the Kingdom’s commitment to transforming its healthcare landscape through technology, innovation, and human capital development. It will serve as a catalyst for digital transformation, knowledge sharing, and sustainable growth within the regional healthcare ecosystem.
“Open innovation is about connecting the dots and creating a thriving ecosystem locally and globally. Adding the SHIFT Innovation Centre Ryiadh to the existing network of innovation centres is an important milestone to further democratise innovation”, said Amira Romani, SVP Global Innovation & Technology at Siemens Healthineers. “Siemens Healthineers and the Ministry of Health are laying through this centre the foundation for a healthier, more connected future for all.”
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