The Saudi Central Board for Accreditation of Healthcare Institutions (CBAHI) is the official body authorized to grant accreditation certificates to all healthcare facilities operating in the public and private sectors in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. CBAHI emerged from the Saudi Health Council as a non-profit organization. Its primary mission is to establish healthcare quality and patient safety standards, against which all healthcare facilities are evaluated to demonstrate compliance.

Establishment

The CBAHI's early beginnings date back to 2001, when it was represented by the Makkah Total Quality Program, an initiative aimed at improving the quality of healthcare provision in the Makkah region. In 2005, by ministerial decree, the Makkah Total Quality Implementation Program was developed and renamed the Central Board for Accreditation of Healthcare Institutions (CBAHI), whose mandate was expanded to include all regions of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

National Standards

In 2006, with the assistance of healthcare quality experts from the public and private sectors, CBAHI developed the first set of national standards for hospitals.

International Society for Quality in Health Care (ISQUA) Accreditation
In 2012, the Center's second edition of the National Hospital Standards was accredited by the International Society for Quality in Health Care (ISQUA).

Centralization of Accreditation by the Saudi Central Board for Accreditation of Healthcare Institutions (CBAHI)

In late 2013, the Council of Ministers issued a decision changing the official name to the "Saudi Central Board for Accreditation of Healthcare Institutions." The decision also mandated the center to undertake national accreditation for all healthcare facilities. This was in addition to a circular from the Ministry of Health stating that accreditation issued by the CBAHI is a prerequisite for renewing an operating license—a step toward encouraging greater participation in this ambitious national initiative.
All healthcare facilities in the public and private sectors (hospitals, clinics, blood banks, and medical laboratories) are required to adhere to the national standards set by the CBAHI and to obtain accreditation through an evaluation process prescribed by the center.