BMC WELLNEX Forum 2026
The BMC WELLNEX Forum 2026 is an interdisciplinary platform hosted by Batterjee Medical College, dedicated to advancing health, wellness, and medical tourism through research excellence, innovation, and high-quality care delivery. The Forum brings together academics, healthcare professionals, innovators, policymakers, and destination stakeholders to explore how integrated health systems translate knowledge into trusted, destination-ready health and wellness services.
Adopting a health and wellness ecosystem approach, the Forum views health as a connected continuum that begins with education and research, progresses through clinical excellence and patient experience, expands into wellness and prevention, and culminates in sustainable health and wellness tourism. Tourism is positioned not as a standalone activity, but as an outcome of excellence grounded in evidence-based practice, measurable outcomes, culturally responsive care, and robust governance.
The Forum supports cross-sector alignment between healthcare excellence, destination development, and cultural experience, contributing to Saudi Arabia's strategic ambitions in quality of life, healthcare transformation, and sustainable tourism.
Vision
To be a leading forum that advances integrated health and wellness ecosystems, where research and innovation enable trusted and sustainable health and wellness tourism.
Mission
To connect research, education, innovation, and healthcare practice through interdisciplinary collaboration, supporting effective, scalable, and globally credible models that enhance health outcomes, wellbeing, and destination readiness.
Research and Education for Health and Medical Tourism Excellence
Clinical Quality, Diagnostics, and Outcomes for Destination Trust
Patient Experience and Recovery Pathways in Health Tourism
Wellness Tourism, Prevention, and Quality of Life
Health Systems, Governance, and Innovation for Tourism Readiness
Health and Wellness Tourism Pathways and Destination Readiness
Panel 1: Conceptualizing Medical and Health Tourism: Distinctions Between Medical, Health, and Wellness-Therapeutic Travel
This panel establishes conceptual clarity across medical tourism, health tourism, and wellness-therapeutic travel by examining definitions, boundaries, overlaps, and system implications. The discussion highlights clinical, regulatory, and service design considerations influencing quality, safety, and destination trust.
Panel 2: Advancing Health and Wellness Tourism in Saudi Arabia: Strategic Priorities, System Readiness, and Policy Directions
This panel explores strategic pathways for developing a competitive, trusted, and sustainable health and wellness tourism sector in Saudi Arabia. The discussion focuses on governance, healthcare quality, regulatory frameworks, workforce capabilities, innovation, and destination readiness aligned with national transformation and quality-of-life objectives.
Dr. Ikhlas Sindi
Executive Director of Student Engagement, Batterjee Medical College
Dr. Safaa Mohammed Alsanosi
Lecturer, General Medicine Practice, Batterjee Medical College
Prof. Dr. Mohamed Lotfy Morsi Ashour
Professor, PharmD, Batterjee Medical College
Dr. Ramia Abdou
Healthcare Accreditation and Medical Tourism Consultant; Surveyor (TEMOS) Quality Lead, Batterjee Medical College
Dr. Lujain Samarkandi
Assistant Professor, Head of Healthcare Program, Batterjee Medical College, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Dr. Nehmat Ghaboura
Vice Dean of Academic Affairs, Head of Pharmacy Program, Batterjee Medical College, Saudi Arabia
Mr. Saud Emam
Health & Wellness Tourism Education Specialist, Hospitality Industry Expert, Red Sea Global, Batterjee Medical College, Saudi Arabia
Prof. Ahmed Al-Oraij
Chairman – Saudi Health Tourism Association | Vice President – Global Healthcare Travel Council | CEO – BLSM-Professor of Practice in Health Tourism at the School of Medicine – West University
Prof. Mohamed Ahmed Ali
Professor of Hotel Management, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University
Dr. Faisal Saleh Alshomrani
Assistant Professor, Department of Diagnostic Radiology Technology, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Taibah University, Al Madinah Al Munawwarah, Saudi Arabia
Dr. Shaimaa Elatwey
Country Director, Temos International, Saudi Arabia
Dr. Sawsan Haider Abdullah Khreis
Associate Professor, Head of Department of Travel and Tourism, Faculty of Tourism and Hotel Management, Yarmouk University, Irbid, Jordan
Dr. Marwah Mustafa Albakri
Assistant Professor, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Taibah University
Dr. Badour Yassar
Physician, CEO, Pharmex Consulting, Director of the Health and Medical Tourism Exhibition in Algeria “AMTEX”, Director of the Pharmacy and Parapharmacie exhibition “Pharmex”
Dr. Abuelhassan Elshazly Abuelhassan
Assistant Professor, College of Tourism and Hospitality, University of Tabuk
Dr. Abdullah Al-Mansour
Executive Consultant, Innovation360 Institute – Middle East & North Africa (MENA)
Dr. Sarah S. Monshi
Assistant Professor of Health Policy and Health Services Research, Department of Health Administration & Hospitals, Umm Al-Qura University
Dr. Hamed Almuhrzi
Dean, Oman Tourism College, Oman
Mr. Ahmed A. Abdelkaway
Patient Experience & Planetree Accreditation Expert, PCC Consultant, PX SME, Reviewer; Temos; Member of Beryl Institute MENA Advisory Council
Mr. Abdulmohsen Saad Al-Shraim
CEO, White Cell Group, Certified TEMOS Assessor, Local Representative of TEMOS in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Mr. Sami Mohammed Khiary
Chairman, Tour Guides Cooperative, Certified National Tourist Guide Trainer, WFTG
Dr. Ibrahim A. Al-Radwan
Assistant Research Professor, Advanced Diagnostics and Therapeutics Institute (ADTI), King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST)
Target Audience
The Forum Welcomes Strategic Partnerships With
Partnership pathways may include speaking roles, scientific collaboration, innovation showcases, sponsored tracks, joint initiatives, and MoU development aligned with ecosystem readiness and impact.
The BMC WELLNEX Forum 2026 includes an Exhibition and Innovation Showcase to present practical solutions and models that advance health, wellness, and medical tourism.
The exhibition connects academia, healthcare providers, innovators, and destination stakeholders, highlighting how research and innovation translate into improved outcomes, patient experience, and destination readiness.
Exhibition Focus Areas
Gold Sponsor
Strategic Partner
Knowledge Partner
Participants
