Saudi Vision 2030: How Can Mobile PET/CT Imaging Enhance Healthcare Delivery in Saudi Arabia?

Authors

• Khalid G. Alsafi, Department of Radiology, Medical Physics Unit, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi ArabiaFollow
• Mahmoud A. Ahmed, Bio-Medical Physics Section, Oncology Department, King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre (Gen. Org.), Jeddah, Saudi ArabiaFollow
• Omar F. Iskanderani, Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi ArabiaFollow
• Amirah A. Alolaymi, Medical Physics Program, Physics Department, Faculty of Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi ArabiaFollow
• Arwa A. Alahdal, Medical Physics Program, Physics Department, Faculty of Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi ArabiaFollow
• Hadeel H. Sofi, Medical Physics Program, Physics Department, Faculty of Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi ArabiaFollow
• Shahd I. Almzarqah, Medical Physics Program, Physics Department, Faculty of Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi ArabiaFollow
• Tala S. Shaath, Medical Physics Program, Physics Department, Faculty of Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi ArabiaFollow
• Samia F. Aboushoushah, Medical Physics Program, Physics Department, Faculty of Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi ArabiaFollow

Abstract

Objective: To address the PET/CT scanner shortage in Saudi Arabia amid rising cancer incidence by evaluating a mobile PET/CT unit. This study quantifies cancer burden and projected scanner needs by region and simulates radiation safety using American Association of Physicists in Medicine Task Group-108 (AAPM TG-108) guidelines. Methods: Cancer data (2001–2020) were extrapolated to 2030 using an exponential model. PET/CT distribution was analyzed against population projections to estimate needs at one scanner per 500,000 people. A mobile PET/CT using Fluorine-18 was modeled per AAPM TG-108. Dose distribution was calculated for 40 patients per week, using 555 MBq 18F-FDG per patient and 6 mm lead shielding. Public dose limit (1mSv/year), supervised, and restricted areas were identified. Results: Projections estimate 9,253 new cancer cases in 2030, a 28% increase from 2025. Saudi Arabia (population: 35 million) operates 26 PET/CT scanners (0.74 per million), below the international benchmark of 2 per million. Distribution is uneven, with several regions unserved. An estimated 83 scanners are needed by 2030 to meet national demand, indicating a shortfall of 57 units. Radiation safety simulations confirmed that exposure zones extend only a few meters from the unit, meeting AAPM TG-108 standards. Conclusion: Mobile PET/CT units can bridge scanner gaps, provide imaging in underserved areas, meet safety standards, and support Saudi Vision 2030 healthcare goals.

First Page

155

Last Page

173

Recommended Citation

Alsafi, Khalid G.; Ahmed, Mahmoud A.; Iskanderani, Omar F.; Alolaymi, Amirah A.; Alahdal, Arwa A.; Sofi, Hadeel H.; Almzarqah, Shahd I.; Shaath, Tala S.; and Aboushoushah, Samia F. (2026) "Saudi Vision 2030: How Can Mobile PET/CT Imaging Enhance Healthcare Delivery in Saudi Arabia?," The Journal of King Abdulaziz University: Science: Vol. 36: Iss. 1, Article 9.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.64064/1658-4252.1021

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.