Hanan Balkhy is a professor of pediatrics and infectious diseases. She spent the first six years of her life in the US, where her father was studying for a doctorate in economics. After the family returned to Saudi Arabia, she grew up in Jeddah with a passion for sports and outdoor activities.
A graduate of King Abdulaziz University, she followed in the footsteps of her two older siblings and became a physician. She then went back to the US and pursued a specialization in pediatrics at Massachusetts General Hospital, and then infectious diseases at The Cleveland Clinic Foundation and Case Western Reserve University.
Over the past 20 years, Balkhy has helped to establish and lead many programs in her field at national and regional levels. As a result, the World Health Organization, the United Nations and several other international bodies have recognized her as an expert in her field and sought her opinions, inviting her to serve on a variety of committees.
She is very much inspired by the younger generation and takes pride in her mentorship roles, which she takes very seriously. She has always believed that, as a society, we are capable of reaching the stars — and, indeed, has proven herself correct.
“Our role is to pave the road for the next generation,” she said. “When I returned from my training we had a lot of gaps that needed to be filled, but we want the fresh graduates to hit the road running. They need to start from where we ended.”
Balkhy’s biggest worry is the education system.
“There are skills that are still not being taught at the school level, and that weakens the ability for our students to compete,” she said. “I hope one day, soon, to see the education system totally revamped.” She stressed her belief in the importance of a strong K12 education in the growth and evolution of civilizations.
Balkhy also loves nature and never passes up a chance to spend time outdoors. She said that if she had more free time, she would also be busy with interior design, mixing and matching all sorts of fabrics and surprising herself with what she is capable of.
TheFace: Hanan Balkhy, professor of pediatrics and infectious diseases
TheFace: Hanan Balkhy, professor of pediatrics and infectious diseases
- Balkhy loves nature and never passes up a chance to spend time outdoors
Thousands in Lebanon benefit from KSrelief healthcare services
RIYADH: A project by Saudi aid agency KSrelief to improve healthcare services for Syrian refugees and their host community in Bebnine, Akkar Governorate, has continued in Lebanon.
Some 2,689 patients were seen at the Akkar-Bebnine Health Care Center in December with 6,194 services provided under pharmacy, laboratory, nursing, community and psychological health programs.
Of the total number of patients, 68 percent were women and 51 percent were refugees, reported the Saudi Press Agency.
Saudi Arabia’s KSrelief continues aid work in new year
- The work reflects Saudi Arabia's ongoing commitment through KSrelief to help those most in need
RIYADH: The Kingdom’s aid agency KSrelief has continued its humanitarian work at the start of 2025, the Saudi Press Agency reported recently.
In Syria, 892 families received food aid and health kits in the Afrin and Aleppo governorates of the war-torn country, benefiting 5,352 individuals.
The agency also distributed bags of flour, winter kits, and personal-care bags to 211 families in Syria’s Al-Rastan area, benefitting 968 individuals.
In Syria’s Rural Damascus governorate, KSrelief distributed bags of flour, food aid, personal-care bags, and shelter kits to 164 families.
In Pakistan, there were 2,821 food parcels, benefiting 18,638 people, distributed in the Bahawalnagar and Rahim Yar Khan areas of Punjab province, and the Hingol area in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
KSrelief also distributed 1,082 clothing vouchers to families in Palestinian refugee camps in Jordan’s Amman, Zarqa and Balqa governorates.
Saudi Museum of Contemporary Art to host ‘Manga Hokusai Manga’ exhibition
- Exhibition is homage to renowned Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusai
The much-anticipated “Manga Hokusai Manga” exhibition will be held at the Saudi Arabia Museum of Contemporary Art in JAX Diriyah from Jan. 15 to Feb. 8.
Held in collaboration with the Embassy of Japan and the Japan Foundation, the exhibition, ratified by the Kingdom’s Museums Commission, will showcase the works of the renowned Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusai.
It will highlight the history and evolution of manga, and provide a perspective on how Hokusai’s classical illustrations have influenced modern visual arts, the Saudi Press Agency reported recently.
Hokusai published his first collection of art in 1814, featuring sketches of “daily life, landscapes and whimsical creatures,” according to a post on X by the museum.
The Saudi Arabia Museum of Contemporary Art aims to foster cultural exchange between local and international creators.
Rain for 3 days over most parts of Saudi Arabia
- Warning of high waves along the Kingdom’s coastlines
RIYADH: Rain of varying intensities will fall over most parts of Saudi Arabia from Jan. 10 to 12, the National Center for Meteorology stated on Thursday.
In a weather bulletin, the NCM warned of downpours accompanied by winds of up to 60 kph, and the possibility of torrential rain and hail. High waves are expected along the nation’s coastlines.
The regions of Al-Jouf, the Northern Borders, and Hail will have rainy conditions on Friday and Saturday.
On Friday, rain is expected in the Tabuk and Madinah regions; on Saturday and Sunday in the Eastern Province, Asir and Jazan; and on Saturday in Qassim.
For the Riyadh and Al-Baha regions, rain is expected from Friday to Sunday.
The NCM urged the public to stay updated on the weather conditions in the Kingdom by checking the daily reports on its website, the Anwaa application, or its social media accounts.
Saudi Falcons Club CEO and Kazakhstan ambassador discuss ways to boost cooperation
RIYADH: The CEO of the Saudi Falcons Club, Ahmed Al-Hababi, met Kazakhstan’s ambassador to the Kingdom, Madiyar Menilbekov, in Riyadh on Thursday to discuss opportunities for cooperation and ways in which these might be enhanced to benefit mutual goals.
One of the topics was the Hadad Program, a leading initiative developed by the club with the aim of returning falcons to their natural habitats and saving the species from the threat of extinction.
Menilbekov praised the club for the important role it plays in enhancing falconry and preserving its cultural heritage.
The club said the meeting was part of its efforts to strengthen international partnerships in keeping with the goals of the Saudi Vision 2030 plan for national development and diversification.
