Dr. Nezar Bahabri

Dr. Nezar Bahabri - Chief Executive Officer, Saudi German Health

Dr. Nezar Bahabri was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Middle East Healthcare Co. (Saudi German Health) effective January 1, 2026, replacing Ahmed Shebl. A physician and consultant in internal medicine and infectious diseases, he holds American and Canadian board certifications and a fellowship from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. Bahabri joined Saudi German Health in September 2023 as Chief Medical Officer and was elevated to Group Chief Medical Officer in November 2024 prior to assuming the CEO role.

Dr. Bahabri obtained a medical degree in 1998 from the College of Medicine at King Faisal University in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, then studied at the University of British Columbia, receiving certification from the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) in 2007, a fellowship from the Royal College of Physicians of Canada in 2008, and his infectious diseases certification from ABIM in 2010. He received the Evelyn Award from the University of British Columbia as the best physician among 122 doctors in the Canadian program. Bahabri serves as Chairman of the Saudi Society of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (SSMMID) - Western Region and has published 12 research works with 98 citations, including studies on COVID-19 and antimicrobial resistance.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Bahabri became known as Saudi Arabia's "voice of reason," with many across the Kingdom tuning in to his social media accounts for medical advice to protect themselves from the virus and calm their concerns. He treated more than 500 COVID-19 patients and provided regular medical advice through his YouTube channel and online platforms while raising awareness about the virus.

Career History

• Chief Executive Officer, Saudi German Health (January 2026–present)
• Group Chief Medical Officer, Saudi German Health (November 2024–December 2025)
• CEO of Medical Education, Saudi German Health (September 2023–November 2024)
• Chief Medical Officer, Future Care (prior to Saudi German Health)
• Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Samir Abbas Hospital
• Consultant in Internal Medicine & Infectious Diseases, King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre, Jeddah (2010–2013)

What Dr. Bahabri could bring to the Saudi German Health CEO role: His dual expertise as both a clinical infectious disease specialist and healthcare executive positions him to advance medical excellence and clinical governance across the region's largest private healthcare group. His track record leading medical education initiatives, combined with his research contributions in antimicrobial resistance and infectious diseases, suggests a focus on elevating clinical standards and driving innovation. His visibility as a trusted medical voice during the pandemic demonstrates communication skills valuable for stakeholder management during a transformational period for Saudi healthcare under Vision 2030.