Environmental Health Measures in Healthcare Facilities: A Comparative Review of Policies in Saudi Arabia and Global Standards.

Environmental health in healthcare settings is essential for ensuring patient safety, protecting public health and promoting sustainable development-especially amid rising global concerns such as pandemics, climate change and antimicrobial resistance. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) has recognized the significance of environmental health as part of its healthcare policy framework and national development strategy under Vision 2030. This review explores how KSA has developed and implemented environmental health initiatives in its healthcare sector, particularly those governed by the Ministry of Health (MOH). The study analyzes publicly available policy documents from the MOH to assess the current scope of environmental health measures in medical facilities. These are then compared with international standards and guidelines, including those from the World Health Organization (WHO), the United States and the European Union. Key policy areas reviewed include waste management, energy efficiency, water conservation, indoor air quality, chemical safety, green building design, sustainable transportation and emergency preparedness. Findings reveal that while KSA has made substantial progress in advancing environmental health practices, notable policy gaps remain-particularly in areas such as recycling programs, green procurement and sustainability education for healthcare personnel. The review concludes by recommending policy enhancements to align more closely with global best practices. Strengthening environmental health measures in healthcare facilities can improve public health outcomes, reduce operational costs and support national sustainability goals.