MAKKAH: Statistics from the Ministry of Health indicated that there has been a higher demand in the Kingdom from people seeking help to give up smoking in the wake of the rise in tobacco prices announced on June 11.
The rate of people seeking help from clinics has increased by 213 percent during the past three months in comparison with the same period last year.
Sharifa Al-Zahrani, the head of the ministry’s smoking cessation clinics, said that taxes are the most effective way to help people, especially youths, quit smoking.
Ibrahim Al-Hamdan, the head of the Tobacco and Narcotics Combat Society, also known as Kafa, told Arab News that the excise tax is a great step that has shown success all around the world.
Al-Hamdan said that 2018 will witness a higher increase in the number of people seeking help from clinics as taxes will not be removed, adding that the rate of smoking in the US dropped from 40 to 18 percent in three decades, which is a very positive sign.
“Kafa has two sides: The first one focuses on awareness and prevention campaigns in malls, schools and public events, while the second one focuses on treatment in clinics,” said Al-Hamdan.
Many people volunteer to help Kafa by telling their stories to smokers about their suffering from cancer caused by smoking, he added.
Tobacco tax in Saudi Arabia: 213% increase in smokers seeking help to quit
Tobacco tax in Saudi Arabia: 213% increase in smokers seeking help to quit
Saudi Arabia condemns New Orleans attack
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia condemned and denounced on Wednesday a deadly car ramming in New Orleans, Louisiana, that struck a crowd celebrating New Year’s Eve.
A 42-year-old Texas man crashed a pickup truck into a crowd in the city’s French Quarter before opening fire with a gun, killing at least 10 people and injuring 35, in an early morning attack the FBI said was a potential act of terrorism.
The suspect was fatally shot in an exchange of gunfire with police. Potential homemade bombs were found in the truck and around the French Quarter, the FBI said.
A Daesh flag was also located in the vehicle, the agency added.
A Saudi Foreign Ministry statement expressed the Kingdom’s complete rejection and denunciation of all forms of violence.
It also expressed the Saudi Arabia’s solidarity and sincere condolences to the families of the victims, the American people, and the US government. It also wished the injured a speedy recovery.
Heart of hospitality: Saudi cultural host welcomes world with open arms
- Fathima Alayan’s Saudi home experience part of program for visitors interested in Kingdom’s heritage
- ‘I invite everyone to visit my country and discover our civilization up close,’ she says
MAKKAH: English teacher turned cultural host Fathima Alayan has opened her Riyadh home to tourists to showcase the Kingdom’s rich heritage and hospitality.
Her initiative aligns with the national vision to strengthen cultural identity and showcase it to the world.
With her fluency in English and passion for Saudi heritage, Alayan has created an experience for visitors that blends traditional hospitality with displays of artifacts and clothing and even cookery lessons.
Alayan is part of the Hihome program, which offers visitors the chance to get to know Saudi culture by visiting real homes and farms and eating and cooking with the families.
The program aims to present a positive image of Saudi culture, in line with the Vision 2030 goal of strengthening national identity and preserving heritage.
“I carry the responsibility of showcasing my country’s identity and the culture of the Saudi family to the world by hosting foreign tourists in my modest home, in alignment with the vision of my leader, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman,” Alayan told Arab News.
Alayan stands as a role model for spreading the values and ethics of Saudi society and represents Saudi women as active contributors to national initiatives.
For visitors, the experience begins with authentic Saudi coffee and a selection of traditional dates and desserts, such as luqaimat, masabib and hanini. This is followed by a sumptuous lunch or dinner featuring dishes like kabsa, mandi, jareesh, marqouq, each prepared with love and precision.
“It’s not just about serving food; my family and I also share with them how each dish is prepared, giving them a true glimpse into our culture and way of life,” Alayan said.
The experience includes an introduction to traditional Saudi clothing, which visitors are invited to wear and have their photos taken to commemorate their visit.
“The tourists’ interaction with our traditional clothing and their love for the experience leave a significant impression on their hearts,” Alayan said.
“It confirms to me that my work has a positive impact in enhancing the image of Saudi society globally.”
Speaking about the guests she dreams of hosting in her home, she said: “I hope to have the honor of hosting Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb, Minister of Culture Prince Badr bin Farhan Al-Saud and Adviser Turki Al-Sheikh to support this pioneering national project.”
Alayan considers her participation in the Hihome program, via the hihome.sa app, a crucial step toward achieving her ambitions.
Hihome founder and CEO Nourah Al-Sadoun said: “We have nine categories of experiences. These include home and food tours, cooking experiences, heritage arts and crafts and camel rides. Each experience is designed to give visitors a true taste of Saudi life.”
Alayan is among the platform’s standout hosts who has been opening up her home to visitors for more than four years.
“Fathima is a lovely host who embodies the beauty of Saudi culture and traditions,” Al-Sadoun told Arab News.
“She has welcomed many guests into her home, where they have enjoyed not only her hospitality but also her passion for sharing Saudi heritage.”
As a passionate cook, Alayan offers hands-on cooking experiences and ensures that every visitor leaves with beautiful memories of Saudi culture and traditions.
“My message to the world is that Saudi Arabia is not just a country rich in resources but also rich in values, culture and people,” she said. “I invite everyone to visit my country and discover our culture up close.”
Ministry expands Saudi Arabia’s home healthcare services
- The number of people benefiting from home care services has reached more than 58,000 active cases in a year
- Basic home care services include wound and bed-sore treatment, chronic disease follow-ups, home visits, post-operative care, oral and dental health, and intravenous therapy
RIYADH: The Ministry of Health, through health clusters, continues to provide home healthcare services throughout the Kingdom, aiming to improve the quality of living, patient experience, and provide comprehensive treatment solutions.
The ministry said that basic home care services include wound and bed-sore treatment, chronic disease follow-ups, home visits, post-operative care, oral and dental health, and intravenous therapy.
Additionally, new services have been introduced, such as mother and childcare, dialysis, and palliative care.
The number of people benefiting from home care services has reached more than 58,000 active cases in a year, with more than 71,000 total beneficiaries since the service’s launch, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.
These services are provided by 244 home healthcare departments, with more than 2,700 specialized staff members.
These efforts align with the Health Sector Transformation Program and Saudi Vision 2030’s goal to enhance access to healthcare services and their quality, thereby addressing community needs.
The ministry said that home healthcare services can be requested through specialized hospital departments or referrals from primary healthcare services, if eligibility criteria are met.
Meanwhile, the Health Sector Transformation Program highlighted major achievements in 2024, including the use of technology to improve health.
The Sehhaty platform set up more than 51 million virtual consultations. Additionally, more than 14 million individuals used the Wasfaty platform, which recorded more then 40 million prescriptions.
The number of health volunteers has passed 632,000 since the platform’s launch, the SPA reported.
Saudi foreign ministry official meets Somalia’s consul general in Jeddah
- Cabdiwali Xirsi Cabdille presented his credentials to Fareed Al-Shehri, director-general of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ branch in Makkah
Fareed bin Saad Al-Shehri, director-general of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ branch in Makkah, received Cabdiwali Xirsi Cabdille, consul general of Somalia in Jeddah, on Wednesday.
Cabdille presented his credentials to Al-Shehri at the ministry’s offices in Jeddah, and they discussed issues of common interest, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Meanwhile, Khalid Bawazier, Saudi Arabia’s deputy minister of finance for international relations, met with a delegation from Bahrain’s Ministry of Finance and National Economy in Riyadh, the Foreign Ministry posted on X.
Saudi Arabia executes 6 Iranians for drug trafficking
- Iranian nationals were executed in the Eastern Province after being convicted of smuggling hashish into the Kingdom
- Ministry of Interior said that the government is protecting the security of citizens and residents from the scourge of drugs
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has executed six Iranians sentenced for drug trafficking, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.
The Iranian nationals were executed in the Eastern Province after being convicted of smuggling hashish into the Kingdom.
After being arrested by Saudi security authorities, the smugglers were referred to the competent court. A ruling was issued against them after their guilt was proven and they were sentenced to death. The ruling became final after it was appealed and then upheld by the Supreme Court, and a royal order was issued to enforce the punishment, the SPA said.
The Ministry of Interior said that the government is protecting the security of citizens and residents from the scourge of drugs, and imposing the most severe penalties stipulated by the system on smugglers and dealers.
