The population of the Arab region is rapidly growing. Coverage of the ever growing population living in the scattered areas continues to be an issue. Severe shortage of medical and paramedical staff especially qualified health managers worsens the situation.

The governments in an effort to reduce the burden on its budget is encouraging a larger role for the private sector / non government sector and is creating more opportunities for participation. The situation demands for creation of institutions which can undertake research for learning and sharing and to develop human resources which put to use the knowledge to deliver better services.

Realizing the need, Bait al Batterjee a known business house in the Middle-east initiated a dialogue with the Indian Institute of Health Management Research, Jaipur, India for establishing a joint collaboration Institute known as the Health Management Research Institute in Jeddah. Accordingly, the MoU for the joint collaboration was signed in 2003 and the Institute started its activities on 26th April 2004.