RIYADH: Saudi Arabia is hosting the first meeting of the Council of Arab Ministers of Cybersecurity in Riyadh on Monday, featuring officials and experts from a variety of Arab League countries.

The Secretary-General of the Arab League Ahmed Aboul Gheit will participate in the meeting to discuss cooperation in cybersecurity and joint cyber frameworks, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The Arab League established the council in September 2023 following a proposal from Saudi Arabia to consolidate Arab efforts in the sector due to increasing cyber threats and computer-related attacks.

The Saudi National Cybersecurity Authority is hosting the event. Established in 2017, the body aims to protect Saudi national security and interests from cyber breaches and attacks.

The Riyadh meeting’s primary objective is to enhance collaboration among Arab nations on all cybersecurity-related matters.

It also aims to function as a platform for exchanging expertise and creating a reliable Arab cyberspace that enables growth and prosperity for all member states of the Arab League.

MAKKAH: Salam Equine Hospital, a venture by Salam Veterinary Group, recently opened its doors in Buraidah, where it epitomizes Saudi Arabia’s ambition to lead in veterinary and medical innovation.

The state-of-the-art facility combines modern technology with innovative design and specialized medical expertise, setting a new benchmark in equine medicine. The hospital not only offers therapeutic and preventive services but also engages in extensive research and development, positioning itself as a global leader in equine care.

Abdulaziz Al-Jumah, the hospital’s executive director, highlighted the project’s significance in an interview with Arab News. “Salam Equine Hospital is part of the Salam Veterinary Group, and it is the largest veterinary hospital in the world.”

According to Al-Jumah, the hospital has formed strategic partnerships with leading international equine hospitals, such as Baker McVeigh, to bring advanced medical knowledge and technology to Saudi Arabia.

“We have established a plan and a strategy for the hospital, consisting of an engineering system facilitating the entry and exit of horses while ensuring their safety,” he said.

A comprehensive system ensures horse safety from entry to exit, with special gates for emergencies and radiology to prevent infection spread.

The facility has fully equipped recovery and anesthesia rooms where horses are safely anesthetized, operated on, and then monitored in recovery. Its operating rooms are designed to meet international standards for isolation, cleanliness, and air quality, crucial for preventing post-operative infections, Al-Jumah said.

“After the operation, some horses might need intensive care. Therefore, we have established intensive care units that are completely isolated to prevent bacterial infections,” Al-Jumah said. “These units have surveillance cameras to monitor the horses in every room of the hospital and track their safety.”

Al-Jumah said that the hospital has “a radiology room that is lead-lined and fully equipped with radiology and sonar devices that examine the horses’ tendons, fractured bones, and spine. A 360-degree examination is conducted using these exceptional top-notch devices.”

When it comes to equine reproduction, Salam Equine Hospital uses cutting-edge techniques such as artificial insemination, natural insemination, and embryo transfer, including the sophisticated IVF method known as “test tube foal,” where sperm is injected directly into an egg.

The hospital’s reach extends beyond its physical boundaries, with mobile clinics that provide on-site care at stables, ensuring comprehensive health services for horses in the region.

Al-Jumah emphasized the hospital’s ongoing commitment to research. “Salam Equine Hospital is keen to conduct new research and seeks development, uniqueness and excellence in horses’ care, thanks to the support of the board of directors and medical personnel who have raised our ambitions level to become the best in the world. We are always looking to initiate new research in this field.”

This initiative underscores Saudi Arabia’s vision for medical advancement and sets new global standards in veterinary care.