Saudi King Salman has approved the awarding of the King Abdulaziz Medal (Third Class) to 200 Saudi citizens in recognition of organ donations made either during their lifetime or after brain death.
The royal order forms part of an ongoing program honoring those who contribute to saving lives through organ donation. Over the past four years, more than 2,500 citizens have received the medal for similar contributions.
A recent television broadcast highlighted the initiative, focusing on the role of donors and their families and efforts to promote wider awareness of organ donation across the Kingdom.
Public engagement in the program increased following a May 2021 announcement that King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had registered as organ donors.
The national donor program is overseen by the Saudi Center for Organ Transplantation (SCOT). King Salman supported the establishment of the centre’s predecessor in 1984 to assist patients with kidney failure. The system has since expanded to coordinate transplants for patients with end-stage organ failure, including heart, liver and lung cases.
Saudi Arabia has also integrated donor recognition into the Tawakkalna app, where registered donors receive digital gold, silver or bronze badges on their profiles as acknowledgment of their pledge.