RIYADH: Technology is becoming a crucial component in health care, as the King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center booth highlighted during LEAP2023.
The demonstration showed how trailblazing technologies are improving health care quality and bolstering the health care industry in the Kingdom according to three main pillars: operational quality, experience and care quality.
“Technology has always been an unparalleled force in advancing industries and societies,” Dr. Mohamad Alhamid, director of the Center for Healthcare Intelligence at the KFSH&RC, told Arab News.
“The team at KFSH&RC works to develop state-of-the-art medical tools powered by automation and machine learning, and to expand health care possibilities for all.”
Alhamid said the center is harnessing the power of the metaverse, AI, blockchain and virtual reality to bolster the Kingdom’s health care capabilities, as well as quality of operations and patient care.
“Among the many technology tools presented at our booth is a virtual reality system that enables children with autism to develop essential life skills, such as crossing the road, in a safe yet immersive environment, and a medical 3D printer that can be deployed and utilized for clinical and research purposes,” he said.
Lab manager Hana Alarifi at KFSH&RC Center for Autism Research’s human behavior laboratory is using cutting edge tools, such as AI and virtual reality, as part of her work to help autistic children.
How Saudi hospitals are using tech to improve health care
https://arab.news/yxb48
How Saudi hospitals are using tech to improve health care
- King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Center showcases advances at LEAP2023
Saudi Arabia proposes renaming OAPEC into the Arab Energy Organization
- Resolution to promote stronger cooperation among OAPEC members as part of a larger reconstruction initiative
RIYADH: Members of the Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries (OAPEC) signed a resolution on Sunday to rename the organization to the Arab Energy Organization (AEO), the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Saudi Arabia had proposed renaming and restructuring the organization during the 113th ministerial meeting in Kuwait this week.
Saudi Arabia's proposal aimed to enhance OAPEC's charter and promote stronger cooperation among its members as part of a larger reconstruction initiative, the SPA added.
These changes will take effect once the 11 member Arab states of OAPEC ratify them according to their national regulations, the SPA also reported.
During the meeting, OAPEC's Secretariat-General pointed out challenges in the energy sector amid regional and international instability in the past years, which prompted the review and development of its activities.
OAPEC, headquartered in Kuwait, is currently led by Qatar.
In 1968, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and the former Kingdom of Libya were among the three founding countries of OAPEC in Beirut.
OAPEC members include the UAE, Bahrain, Iraq, Algeria, Syria, Tunisia, and Egypt.
Jeddah governor attends Qatar consulate’s national day celebration
- Diplomats and the consul general attended the ceremony
RIYADH: Jeddah Governor Saud bin Abdullah bin Jalawi attended a reception on Sunday to commemorate Qatar’s national day, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The event, arranged by the country’s consulate in Jeddah, was attended by several Qatari officials from the diplomatic corps who welcomed the prince.
Saudi Arabia to hold Hajj conference to improve services for Muslim pilgrims
- The conference will gather ministers, experts, and diplomats from 87 countries
- Aims to enhance the quality of services provided to pilgrims in Makkah and Madinah
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia is holding the fourth edition of the Hajj Conference and Exhibition in Jeddah from Jan. 13-16 under the patronage of King Salman.
The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, along with the Pilgrim Experience Program, will host a conference gathering ministers, ambassadors, academics, experts, diplomats, and representatives from private and public institutions across 87 countries.
The conference aims to enhance the quality of services provided to Muslim pilgrims, foster an exchange of experiences, and promote competitiveness and transparency among companies involved in Hajj affairs in Makkah and Madinah, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
It will feature over 100 speakers, 47 panel discussions, and 50 workshops to address the challenges of enhancing Hajj services and explore ways to support innovative projects in the pilgrimage sector, SPA added.
Alongside the conference, a special exhibition spanning an area of 50,000 square meters in Jeddah will feature 280 exhibitors from various sectors to showcase the latest technologies, such as artificial intelligence, to enhance Hajj.
The latest conference edition resulted in the signing of 202 cooperation agreements to improve Hajj services and attracted over 100,000 visitors from 87 countries.
The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah urged individuals and organizations to register their interest in participating in the next edition of the conference in January at hajjconfex.com.
Saudi Arabia condemns Israeli plan that aims to double annexed Golan population
- Kingdom renews its call to the international community to condemn Israeli violations, stresses need to respect Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, ministry says
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia on Sunday condemned and denounced the Israeli government’s approval of a plan to double the population of the occupied and annexed Golan Heights.
Israel’s government “unanimously approved” the $11 million “plan for the demographic development of the Golan... in light of the war and the new front in Syria and the desire to double the population,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said.
“The Kingdom renews its call to the international community to condemn these Israeli violations, stressing the need to respect Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” the Saudi Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
The statement added that the strategic plateau is occupied Syrian Arab land and condemned Israel’s “continued sabotage of Syria’s chances of restoring its security and stability.”
Israel has occupied most of the Golan Heights since 1967 and annexed that area in 1981 in a move recognized only by the United States.
Over 1,000 industry experts expected at exhibitions summit, say organizers
- Event will explore investment opportunities in the meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions sector in Saudi Arabia
RIYADH: Around 1,000 industry experts from some 73 countries are expected to attend the first edition of the International Summit for Exhibitions and Conferences, which takes place from Dec. 15-17.
Hosted at Mohammed Bin Salman Nonprofit City and organized by the Saudi Conventions and Exhibitions General Authority, the three-day event will explore investment opportunities in the meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions sector in Saudi Arabia, welcoming dozens of local establishments and global event organizers.
Fahd Al-Rasheed, SCEGA chairman Fahd Al-Rasheed told Arab News: “Those participating (in) the event are meeting at the right place, because the MICE sector in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is bound to grow far beyond that in the next few years. The reason is Vision 2030, the blueprint for socio-economic transformation throughout the Kingdom.
“The MICE sector brings people together to trade to exchange ideas, to build their sectors, to promote their destinations, to build trust, to build partnerships, so to achieve Vision 2030 we have launched 1,064 initiatives.”
He added: “More interestingly, 86% of these initiatives are on track. How can we do 1,064 initiatives simultaneously at any one time? The only reason is because we can scale due to our partnerships.
“Vision 2030 is one of the most important opportunities for our sector in decades. More than $653 billion giga projects are being deployed all around the country. Many of these giga project leaders are in this room, and they bring with them the entire infrastructure we need to flourish, from meeting spaces to hotel rooms to airports and beyond.
“Saudi Arabia is undoubtedly the right place to hold this summit. Bringing together the right people, at the right time, in the right place, creates a great opportunity to expand our industry’s horizons.”
In his keynote address at the IMS24, Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb outlined Vision 2030 and its significant impact on the MICE sector, emphasizing its role in driving qualitative transformation and enhancing the Kingdom's competitiveness.
He also highlighted the role of strategic investments and tourism growth in strengthening Saudi Arabia’s position as a leading global MICE destination.
Speaking at the summit, Arab News Editor-in-Chief Faisal Abba emphasized the crucial role of patience in shaping industries like MICE.
“There are things we shouldn’t rush,” he said. “At times, gaining experience is essential. However, content remains the cornerstone of any successful industry.”
Addressing misconceptions held about the Kingdom, he added: “Many still hold outdated perceptions of the Kingdom. Some can’t believe we’re building futuristic cities today because they still think we’re trapped in the past.”
He highlighted MICE as a powerful tool for transforming global perceptions.
“For over 1,400 years, we’ve hosted Hajj, a testament to our deep-rooted tradition of hospitality.,” he said. “Saudi Arabia has moved from being excited about having one major event a year to embracing a continuous stream of events.”
Abbas added the introduction of tourist visas had already begun to shift perceptions: “Many visitors have shared with me how amazed they were by the Saudi Arabia they encountered — far more positive than they had ever imagined.”
Prominent speakers during the event include Lord Stephen Carter, CEO of Informa PLC; Brian Britton, COO of RX Global; Stefan Rummel, CEO of Messe Munich; Lisa Hannant, CEO of Clarion Events; and Wolfram Diener, CEO of Messe Dusseldorf.
The summit also features workshops highlighting new technologies in the sector and opportunities for discussion with leaders of government entities.
SCEGA is the official body that oversees the development and regulation of the Kingdom’s exhibitions and conferences sector. Established by royal decree in 2018, it aims to amplify the sector’s economic impact by crafting strategic policies, establishing globally aligned regulations, issuing licenses, promoting investments, and cementing Saudi Arabia’s reputation as a premier destination for international events.
