In a pioneering step to enhance specialized healthcare in the Eastern Province, King Fahd University Hospital in Al-Khobar, affiliated with Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, announced the opening of a specialized clinic for the treatment of kidney and urinary tract stones. This specialized clinic aims to provide a comprehensive treatment model that focuses not only on removing stones but also on preventing their recurrence, particularly in patients with underlying metabolic disorders.
Background of the problem: The challenge of kidney stones in the Kingdom
Kidney stones are a common health problem worldwide, and their prevalence is higher in hot climates such as Saudi Arabia, which lies within the so-called "kidney stone belt." Factors such as high temperatures, increased risk of dehydration, and certain dietary patterns contribute to the higher incidence. Traditionally, treatment has focused on surgical interventions or lithotripsy to remove stones after they have formed, subjecting patients to repeated procedures and chronic pain without addressing the underlying cause of the problem.
An integrated treatment model: from treating the stone to treating the patient
The new clinic is distinguished by its holistic treatment approach, jointly managed by the Nephrology and Urology departments. This collaboration is led by Professor Abdullah Al-Huwaish, Professor of Nephrology, and Dr. Hatem Al-Dhibyani, Consultant Urologist specializing in kidney stones and endoscopic urology. This integrated medical approach ensures a thorough and comprehensive patient assessment to identify the metabolic causes of stone formation, such as abnormalities in urinary calcium, oxalate, or uric acid levels.
Based on an accurate diagnosis, a personalized treatment and prevention plan is developed for each patient. This plan includes dietary modifications, fluid intake recommendations, and medications designed to correct metabolic imbalances and prevent salt crystallization in the kidneys. This proactive approach significantly reduces the likelihood of recurrent kidney stones, preserves long-term kidney function, and spares the patient the need for painful and costly surgical interventions.
Strategic importance and expected impact
Dr. Abdullah bin Abdul Salam Yousef, Executive Director of King Fahd University Hospital, affirmed that the opening of the clinic aligns with the goals of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 in the health sector, which focuses on shifting towards a preventive and patient-centered care model. He added, "We strive to adopt the latest evidence-based medical practices. This clinic represents a qualitative addition to our services and responds to a pressing need among a large segment of patients, which will positively impact their quality of life.".
For his part, Dr. Hatem Al-Dhibyani explained that “the idea for the clinic stemmed from the need to treat kidney stones in a way that goes beyond surgical intervention. Our goal is to move from treating the stone itself to treating the patient holistically.” This clinic is expected to have a positive impact locally by alleviating the burden on emergency and surgical departments, and it could also become a regional referral center for providing advanced consultations and treatments in this field.
