JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Health Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah visited several health care institutions and development projects in Qassim on Thursday.
He stressed that his ministry is keen to learn about and address the challenges facing health care and medical services in the province and commended the health affairs team for their efforts to improve health and medical services there.
The minister visited the Prince Faisal bin Bandar Cancer Center project, accompanied by Qassim’s director-general of health affairs Mutlaq Al-Khamaly, and witnessed a presentation on the components of the project’s third stage, which cost more than SR 49 million and includes construction, architectural, mechanical, and electrical works.
Al-Rabiah also visited King Fahad Specialist Hospital in Buraydah, where he went over the details of the outpatient environment project and plans to expand and advance the external pharmacy, in addition to inspecting the soon-to-be-launched catheterization and interventional radiology unit, which employs cutting-edge medical diagnosis technology to perform diagnostic and medical procedures without anesthesia. It is widely regarded as a huge step forward for medical services.
The health minister went on to visit the SR 10-million lab automation project — which serves the hormons, chemistry, and blood disease departments — and caught up on the expansion of the recently-launched department of gastroenterology and endoscopy; inaugurated the new office of the health affairs department; inspected the new emergency “ambulance bus,” which is equipped with five beds, and from which medical staff can support emergency services on site; inspected the mobile blood bank; and launched the Qassim Medical Commission’s electronic project, “Inayati,” which has been designed to serve patients wherever they are without them needing to visit the commission’s office.
Saudi health minister visits medical projects in Qassim
Saudi health minister visits medical projects in Qassim
- Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Health Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah visited several health care institutions and development projects in Qassim on Thursday.
- He stressed that his ministry is keen to learn about and address the challenges facing health care and medical services in the province.
UAE FM Sheikh Abdullah arrives in Riyadh to attend Syria meeting
- Welcomed at King Khalid International Airport by Saudi Deputy FM Waleed Al-Khuraiji
RIYADH: Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, the UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, arrived in Riyadh on Saturday, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
He was welcomed at King Khalid International Airport by Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji.
Sheikh Abdullah is in the Kingdom to attend an expanded ministerial meeting on Syria to be hosted by Saudi Arabia on Sunday, SPA added.
Saudi Arabia condemns attack on Chad’s presidential palace
- The attack, which occurred on Wednesday, involved gunmen attempting to storm the palace
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia on Saturday strongly condemned the recent attack on the presidential palace in N’Djamena, Chad, which left 19 people dead, including a soldier guarding the complex, and injured others.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement reaffirming Saudi Arabia’s steadfast support for Chad’s security and stability, while rejecting any actions that threaten the country’s peace, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
In its statement, the Ministry extended heartfelt condolences to the family of the fallen soldier and to the government and people of Chad. The Kingdom also wished a swift recovery for those injured in the assault.
The attack, which occurred on Wednesday, involved gunmen reportedly linked to Boko Haram attempting to storm the presidential palace, prompting a fierce battle.
The Chadian government confirmed that 18 attackers from a 24-member commando unit were killed in the fighting, alongside one security personnel. Tanks were deployed to secure the area.
GCC secretary general receives New Zealand’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia
- Al-Budaiwi congratulated Kingston on his appointment as New Zealand’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia, wishing him success in his duties
RIYADH: Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Jasem Al-Budaiwi recently received New Zealand’s Ambassador to the Kingdom Charles Kingston at the General Secretariat’s headquarters in Riyadh.
Al-Budaiwi congratulated Kingston on his appointment as New Zealand’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia, wishing him success in his duties, the General Secretariat wrote in a report.
During the meeting, they also discussed a number of topics of mutual interest, notably the progress of negotiations for the free trade agreement between the GCC countries and updates on the joint action plan between the two sides. They also exchanged views on several regional and international issues.
Saudi authority issues health warning on food import
RIYADH: The Saudi Food and Drug Authority issued a warning about Country Butcher Boy beef pepperoni, manufactured in the UAE.
According to the Saudi Press Agency, the 250-gram packages with an expiration date of March 1, 2025, are contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, a bacterium posing serious health risks, confirmed by lab tests.
The authority advised the public to avoid consuming the product and dispose of any units they may have.
Steps have been taken to remove the contaminated product from the market, and regulatory action is being pursued against the importing company, the SPA reported.
Violations of food laws can result in severe penalties, including up to 10 years in prison, fines of up to SR10 million ($2.6 million), or both.
The authority reiterated its commitment to food safety and will continue taking action against violators. Consumers can report food safety concerns to the authority’s call center at 19999.
Thai Embassy joins Riyadh greening initiative
RIYADH: The Royal Thai Embassy recently took part in a volunteer initiative at Aba Samri National Park in the Murat governorate of Riyadh region, in collaboration with the National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification.
Part of the National Greening Season, the activity aims to enhance vegetation, curb land degradation, and plant native and adaptive species, supporting the Saudi Green Initiative, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The embassy’s involvement promotes vegetation restoration and aligns with the center’s call for broader environmental engagement from all sectors. The scheme improves air quality, reduces dust storms and restores ecosystems, the SPA added.
The National Greening Season, a core element of the broader program, fosters public-private partnerships, volunteerism, and awareness about afforestation and combating desertification.
The center leads efforts to protect and restore vegetation sites across Saudi Arabia, addressing challenges such as wildfires, illegal logging and unregulated grazing to safeguard natural ecosystems.
