Saudi Arabia’s relief center prosthetic limbs project benefits 1,839 Yemenis

The KSRelief-funded centers treat landmine victims and train Yemeni cadres as well. (SPA)
Updated 25 February 2019
Follow

Saudi Arabia’s relief center prosthetic limbs project benefits 1,839 Yemenis

  • 1.3 million patients to receive eye treatment
  • The Saudi Project for Landmine Clearance (MASAM) in Yemen cleared more than 43,000 mines in the war-ravaged country as of Feb. 15, according to the figures released by KSRelief

JEDDAH: The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSRelief) on Sunday revealed it provided prosthetic limbs for 1,839 civilians mutilated during the war in Yemen in the past three years, at a total cost of $2.3 million.
Prior to April 2017, a medical center backed by KSRelief and based in the city of Marib had fitted prosthetic limbs for 305 patients, and trained 5 Yemeni teams on prosthetic affixation techniques and patient rehabilitation, at a cost of $546,848.
By February 2018, 306 more patients had been treated, and 6 further teams were trained, costing $440,000, and by December 2018, 612 more limbs had been fitted with over 600 old ones replaced across Marib and Aden, coming in at $1.25 million.
The center has gone to great lengths to ensure both convenience and efficiency for patients on waiting lists for prosthetics, including maintaining regular lines of communication with people still awaiting treatment. The training program, established to teach Yemeni medics how to attach prosthetics themselves, is vital for the sustainable future of the center.
Amputations performed on civilians have been a prominent feature of the vicious war in Yemen, with men and many women and children requiring assistance from KSRelief after suffering life-changing injuries from bombs and landmines.
The Saudi Project for Landmine Clearance (MASAM) in Yemen cleared more than 43,000 mines in the war-ravaged country as of Feb. 15, according to the figures released by KSRelief. About a million mines have been planted by the Iranian-backed Houthi militias in Yemen over the past three years, claiming the lives of more than 1,000 civilians.

Eye hospital
KSRelief has started the first phase of a project to operate and prepare the Makkah Eye Specialist Hospital in Yemen’s Marib province to serve 1.3 million patients from across the country.
Dr. Abdullah Saleh Al-Moallem, director of the health and environmental aid department at KSRelief, said it signed on Feb. 9 an agreement to prepare and operate a specialized center for ophthalmology and eye surgery in Marib, which will last three years and cost $2.97 million.
The project aims to treat eye injuries, raise awareness on eye health, and establish a package of services in Marib to support Yemen’s Health Ministry and citizens. The second phase of the project, which will last three years, will focus on receiving patients.
Since its establishment in May 2015, KSRelief has implemented 692 projects around the world.
In Yemen, 325 programs have been run by KSRelief in partnership with 80 UN, international and local nongovernmental organizations. An estimated 2.5 million Yemenis have benefited from medical services provided by KSRelief in 2018, the SPA said.
Saudi Arabia has given $84.7 billion in foreign aid to 79 countries between 1996 and 2018.


Saudi crown prince receives phone call from Canadian PM

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. (File/SPA/AFP)
Updated 26 sec ago
Follow

Saudi crown prince receives phone call from Canadian PM

  • During the call, Prince Mohammed and Trudeau discussed developments in Gaza and the occupied Palestinian territories and developments in Syria

RIYADH: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received a phone call from Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Tuesday, Saudi Press Agency reported. 

During the call, Prince Mohammed and Trudeau reviewed aspects of relations between their countries and ways to enhance them in a number of areas.

They also discussed developments in Gaza and the occupied Palestinian territories, developments in Syria, and topics of common interest.

The need to support efforts aimed at reducing escalation and achieving security, peace, and stability in the region was also discussed. 


Saudi, Malaysian foreign ministers chair cooperation meeting in Riyadh

Updated 10 December 2024
Follow

Saudi, Malaysian foreign ministers chair cooperation meeting in Riyadh

  • Prince Faisal and Hasan signed a memorandum of understanding on mutual visa exemption
  • Prince Faisal and Hasan stressed the brotherly relations that connect Saudi Arabia and Malaysia

RIYADH: Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan and his Malaysian counterpart chaired the first meeting of the Saudi-Malaysian Coordination Council in Riyadh on Tuesday.

Following the meeting, Prince Faisal and Dato’ Seri Utama Hajji Mohamad bin Hajji Hasan, Malaysian minister of foreign affairs, signed a memorandum of understanding on mutual exemption from a short-stay visa for holders of diplomatic, private or official passports.

A second memorandum on social development was signed by Hasan and the Saudi deputy minister of human resources, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The Saudi-Malaysian Coordination Council discussed aspects of cooperation in political, security, trade, investment, Islamic affairs and socio-cultural sectors.

Prince Faisal and Hasan stressed the brotherly relations that connect Saudi Arabia and Malaysia and pledged to continue their joint coordination and support for their mutual interests in bilateral, regional, and international issues.

Mesaad Al-Sulaim, Saudi ambassador to Kuala Lumpur, and several other senior Saudi and Malaysian aides and officials, attended the meeting.


Saudi Arabia showcases innovation in healthcare at Riyadh exhibition

Updated 10 December 2024
Follow

Saudi Arabia showcases innovation in healthcare at Riyadh exhibition

  • Event, held from Dec. 10-12, brings together more than 400 exhibitors from 100 countries and over 150 speakers from the pharmaceutical industry
  • Aligns with the goals of the health sector transformation program, outlined in the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, which aims to foster a vibrant society with a healthy life

RIYADH: The Saudi Ministry of Health is showcasing its latest projects in therapeutic and pharmaceutical healthcare at the CPHI Middle East exhibition in Riyadh.

The event, held from Dec. 10-12, brings together more than 400 exhibitors from 100 countries and over 150 speakers from the pharmaceutical industry.

It aligns with the goals of the health sector transformation program, outlined in the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, which aims to foster a vibrant society with a healthy life.

Among the key highlights are advancements in biotechnology, highlighting the ministry’s support for the national biotechnology strategy, which seeks to position Saudi Arabia as a regional and global biotechnology hub while enhancing self-sufficiency in the sector.

The pavilion also presents investment opportunities in biotechnology, aiming to enable sector growth and establish the Kingdom as a global leader, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Key initiatives include implementing strategic incentives to attract international companies, promoting sustainable marketing, enhancing financing capabilities, fostering joint investments and driving infrastructure investments.

Minister of Health Fahad Al-Jalajel said: “Hosting the CPHI Middle East exhibition in the Kingdom underscores our dedication to enhancing Saudi Arabia’s role as a hub for pharmaceutical industry innovation in the region.

“This aligns with the Kingdom’s efforts to implement the National Biotechnology Strategy, which aims to contribute 3 percent to gross domestic product, totaling SR130 billion ($34.6 billion) annually by 2040.”

Al-Jalajel oversaw the signing of agreements worth SR10 billion and announced partnerships with major companies, including Vertex Pharmaceuticals for a project valued at around SR1 billion, and Tabuk Pharmaceuticals with an investment of SR100 million.

Vice Minister of Health for Planning and Development Abdulaziz Al-Ramaih praised the transformation of the healthcare sector and the expanding role of private industry in the pharmaceutical industry.

He highlighted the Kingdom’s goal to lead the biotechnology sector in the Middle East and North Africa by 2030 through the National Biotechnology Strategy, which aims to create numerous jobs by supporting research, innovation and integrated biomanufacturing, while boosting the sector’s growth and competitiveness.

Al-Ramaih noted the pivotal role of the pharmaceutical sector in enhancing public health, strengthening health security, fostering economic growth and bolstering the Kingdom’s global standing.


Emir of Kuwait receives Saudi Minister of State Prince Turki bin Mohammed

Updated 10 December 2024
Follow

Emir of Kuwait receives Saudi Minister of State Prince Turki bin Mohammed

RIYADH: The Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah received on Tuesday Prince Turki bin Mohammed, the Saudi minister of state and Cabinet member, and his accompanying delegation.

Prince Turki conveyed the greetings of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to the Kuwaiti leadership.

Sheikh Meshal, in turn, sent his greetings and appreciation to the king and crown prince, wishing them continued good health and well-being, the Saudi Press Agency reported. 

During their meeting at Bayan Palace, the two discussed relations between their respective countries and ways to develop them.

The Saudi delegation included Prince Sultan bin Saad bin Khalid, the Saudi ambassador to Kuwait, and Mohammed Al-Jadaan, the minister of finance, alongside senior Saudi and Kuwaiti aides. 

Prince Turki also met on Tuesday with the Crown Prince of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah.


Riyadh mayor receives English official

Updated 10 December 2024
Follow

Riyadh mayor receives English official

RIYADH: Riyadh Mayor Faisal bin Ayyaf on Monday received the Mayor of North East England Kim McGuinness.

During their meeting the pair discussed ways to boost cooperation between Riyadh and the English region.

Ayyaf stressed the municipality’s keenness to establish international partnerships in various fields.

McGuinness praised the developments achieved by Riyadh and highlighted the importance of cooperation in areas of common interest.