Advanced nurse practitioners as a strategic response to the diabetes burden in Saudi Arabia: Opportunities and challenges

Saudi Arabia faces one of the world’s highest diabetes burdens, in both adults and children, alongside a nursing workforce shortage and no formally recognized Diabetes Advanced Nurse Practitioner (DANP) role. This editorial describes an operational DANP model at King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz University Hospital (KAAUH), Riyadh, reviews international evidence on ANP-led diabetes care, and proposes a national policy pathway. The KAAUH model is feasible within existing infrastructure, and international evidence shows nurse-led care improves glycemic control and reduces diabetic ketoacidosis admissions. Formal SCFHS credentialing, training, and phased replication would translate this model nationally.