History of society

The Saudi Society of medical genetics was established on 10/2/1429 AH corresponding to 17/2/2008 AD under the umbrella of the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties as the first scientific Society specialized in the field of genetics in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and indeed in the Arab and Islamic world.

The idea of establishing the Society started when I was a working member and then a member of the board of directors of the] Saudi Pediatric Society in the period from 2000-2015 AD, where I presented the idea to Dr. Abdul Rahman Al-Suwailem, President of the Saudi Pediatric Society at that time, supported the idea of establishing a Society under the Pediatric Society specialized in genetic medicine, and his happiness supported it morally and financially, as he allowed us to use the office and the secretariat of the Society to carry out the tasks of the committee.

The committee consisted of several members and from different hospitals, including representatives from King Faisal Specialist Hospital, the Ministry of Health,
the Military Hospital, and the National Guard Hospital. It also includes different specialties of genetic medicine, including doctors, laboratory technicians and researchers.

The committee began its work on two levels, the first is to gradually carry out its scientific and awareness activities in partnership with the Saudi Pediatric Society in scientific clubs, workshops and conferences, and the second is to work to establish an independent genetic medicine Society by setting the mission, vision, goals and programs of the society to be established.

In 2008, a request was submitted to the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties, which was headed at that time by Dr. Abdul Aziz bin Hassan Al-Sayegh established the Society according to the standards required at the time, which is to start with 50 founding members, and with the grace of God first, then the support of His Excellency Dr. Al-Suwailem The establishment of the Saudi Society for Genetic Medicine was approved in 2008.

After the founding decision, the board of directors was elected in an electoral way and under the supervision of the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties, consisting of nine members, headed by Dr. Amin Safta and his deputy, as I was chosen for this position for a period of 3 years, for the duration of the first session of the Board of Directors.