RIYADH: King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center performed the region’s first robotic pancreas transplantation, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.

The milestone surgery on a young male patient suffering from type 1 diabetes freed him from years of insulin dependency and demonstrated the potential of advanced medical innovation to improve quality of life.

The patient had endured type 1 diabetes and severe complications, including kidney failure, for many years, which necessitated a kidney transplant, according to a press release.

Although the kidney transplant was successful, the patient continued to face challenges from diabetes and its associated complications, and his symptoms were unresponsive to conventional treatment, the center said.

Pancreas transplantation emerged as the most effective option to address these challenges and enhance the patient’s quality of life, according to the release.

The procedure, conducted using robotic technology, allowed surgeons to transplant the pancreas with high precision, reducing surgical risks and recovery time.

Earlier this year, the center also performed the world’s first fully robotic heart transplant, building on its 2023 achievement of completing the world’s first fully robotic liver transplant.

JEDDAH: The Chinese Film Nights, organized by the Chinese Consulate General and the China Film Administration, concluded in Jeddah with screenings of “Escape from the 21st Century” and “Decoded.”

Chinese Consul General Wang Qimin emphasized the importance of cinema as a medium for fostering understanding, respect, and cultural exchange, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.

He highlighted the success of the first Saudi Film Nights, organized by the Saudi Film Commission in China, where four Saudi films were screened in Beijing, Suzhou, and Shanghai, receiving widespread acclaim.

Wang said that the cooperation agreements signed between Chinese and Saudi film companies would help Saudis gain a deeper understanding of Chinese culture, SPA reported.

He also noted that several Chinese films had been shortlisted for the 2024 Red Sea International Film Festival, showcasing the growing impact of collaboration between the two countries.

Saudi Arabia, as one of the largest economies in the Middle East, has immense potential to develop its film industry, Wang added.

The three-day event featured six movies, with two screened each night.