RIYADH: The Ministry of Health has launched a newly developed email module to monitor cases of infectious diseases detected in blood banks.
The move is part of an initiative to report infectious diseases following the successful pilot phase that was adopted by four central blood banks in Riyadh, Sharqia, Makkah and Taif.
The aim of the initiative is to prevent the transmission of infectious diseases among different blood banks in all sectors and accelerate the process of taking appropriate preventive measures.
The ‘Fortress Program’ is an integrated electronic system to control diseases and epidemics, and it is intended to monitor infectious and epidemiological diseases electronically through the Internet and to develop control mechanisms.
It also aims to electronically follow-up on basic vaccinations, standardize processes, models and health reports throughout the Kingdom, as well as reducing discrepancies in monitoring diseases between various areas and health facilities.
The program will provide health workers and decision-makers with timely and accurate information that enables them to offer the best health services.
Saudi health ministry launches electronic program to monitor infectious diseases in blood banks
Saudi health ministry launches electronic program to monitor infectious diseases in blood banks
KSrelief’s humanitarian works benefit individuals from Yemen, Ukraine and Sudan
RIYADH: The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center’s (KSrelief) humanitarian projects in Yemen, Ukraine and Sudan continue to benefit individuals needing medical and therapeutic intervention.
In Yemen, KSrelief provided services through the Prosthetic and Rehabilitation Center in Aden to 562 patients in November as part of efforts to strengthen the country’s healthcare sector and help individuals who require prostheses.
The center also delivered 1,395 services, including the manufacturing, fitting, and rehabilitation of prosthetic limbs, along with physical therapy and specialized consultations.
Also in Aden, a team of medical volunteers undertook an adult urology surgery campaign from Dec. 15 to 22, with the nine specialists performing 15 procedures on patients. The project was implemented in collaboration with the Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen
In Rzeszow, Poland, KSrelief volunteers fitted prosthetic limbs for 32 Ukrainian refugees between Dec. 8 to 15.
In Sudan’s Port Sudan, volunteers from KSrelief ran a pediatric surgical program and has successfully examined 15 children and performed seven successful surgeries so far.
‘Common Ground’ festival celebrates parallels of Saudi and Iraqi cultures
- The festival showcases the identity and culture of Saudi Arabia and Iraq through a variety of activities, including art, music and folklore
RIYADH: The Kingdom’s culture ministry launched the “Common Ground” festival on Wednesday, celebrating the similarities between the rich cultural heritages of Saudi Arabia and Iraq.
Organized by the ministry, “Common Ground” is a showcase of the identity and culture of Saudi Arabia and Iraq through a variety of activities, including art, music and folklore.
The ministry announced the launch on its social media account on Wednesday, inviting residents to “explore and celebrate Iraqi culture and the historical and cultural bonds between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Republic of Iraq through art, music, storytelling and more.”
The festival, which runs through Dec. 31, is being held at Mega Studio in Boulevard City in the Saudi capital Riyadh.
The agenda features an array of events, including an artistic evening and a tribute to writer Kareem Al-Iraqi, who died last year, whose contributions to art and literature are noted. His works ranged from novels, plays and songs to television programs and screenplays.
The opening night of the second edition of this unique cultural event featured a set of songs by reknowned Iraqi singer-songwriter Kadim Al-Sahir.
The first day features a diverse program celebrating Iraqi culture, with several seminars discussing the heritage of Saudi Arabia’s Middle Eastern neighbor.
There will also be over 100 works from Iraqi and Saudi artists at the festival.
Separately, on Wednesday, the Iraqi Prime Minister Shia Al-Sudani was welcomed by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to Al-Ula, one of the Kingdom’s top cultural destinations, as the two leaders discussed regional events.
Saudi aid agency KSrelief launches pediatric surgical program in war-ravaged Sudan
- Medical team assesses 15 children and carries out 7 successful operations during first few days of the project, which is staffed by volunteers
RIYADH: Saudi aid agency KSrelief this week launched a volunteer pediatric surgical program in the Sudanese city of Port Sudan.
By Wednesday, the medical team had assessed 15 children and carried out seven successful surgeries, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Sudan is locked in a civil war between two rival factions of the country’s military government that began in April 2023. It has claimed tens of thousands of lives and displaced about 12 million people.
The conflict has also had a devastating effect on healthcare, with more than two-thirds of major hospitals in out of service, according to the World Health Organization.
Riyadh governor receives newly appointed Palestinian envoy
Riyadh Gov. Prince Faisal bin Bandar received the newly appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Palestine to the Kingdom Mazen Ghoneim in Riyadh on Wednesday.
During the meeting, they discussed various topics of common interest, and Prince Faisal wished the ambassador success in his new duties, Saudi Press Agency reported.
Meanwhile, on the same day, Baha Gov. Prince Hussam bin Saud bin Abdulaziz met with Ambassaor of India to the Kingdom Dr. Suhel Ajaz Khan to discuss topics of mutual interest.
Saudi, Australian defense ministers meet in Riyadh
- Prince Khalid, Richard Marles discuss latest developments in region
RIYADH: Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman on Wednesday received his Australian counterpart, Richard Marles, at his office in Riyadh.
The pair discussed relations between their countries as well as the latest developments in the region, including efforts to support security and stability, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
A number of other senior officials from the two sides attended the meeting. Marles is also Australia’s deputy prime minister.
