RIYADH: A proposal to evaluate the current status of HPV infection in the GCC countries was tabled at the 77th periodic executive body of the Council of Health Ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council held in Riyadh yesterday.
Dr. Tawfik Khoja, executive director of the GCC Health Ministers Secretariat,who chaired the Saturday’s meeting said that the proposed study was one of the technical issues taken up by the secretariat on the first day of the three-day meeting,which is being held in the capital. Human Papillomavirus, more commonly known as HPV, is a DNA virus which spreads through sexual contact. HPV consists of a group of over 100 different viruses, with at least 30 strains known to cause different types of cancer. The HPV group of viruses has a global prevalence of approximately 10-22 percent .
Over 100 types of HPV exist. Some HPV types are termed “low-risk” since they cause only benign skin warts, whereas high-risk types of HPV can cause anogenital cancers, particularly cervical neoplasia, or cervical cancer. Among high risk strains, HPV 16 and 18 are most common among cervical cancer patients (associated with 50.5 percent and 13.1 percent of cervical cancers, respectively). Most women are probably infected with at least one if not several types of HPV strains during their sexual life.
Most low-grade cervical lesions spontaneously regress, but approximately 10 to 13 percent will progress to a high-grade lesion, which will eventually put the individual at risk for invasive cervical cancer. Worldwide, every two minutes a woman dies of cervical cancer and each year more than 500,000 women will be newly diagnosed and more than 270,000 women will die.
Though the incidence of cervical cancer is lower in the Middle East compared with the rest of the world, most cases of cervical cancer are detected at a late stage when the disease may have become more advanced. Furthermore, in spite of the well-known benefits of the Pap smear test, a very small number of women in this region are tested annually, largely through opportunistic screening during a regular gynecologic examination. HPV related infections are less common in the Middle East region compared with the rest of the world, though the exact prevalence of HPV is not as well determined as it is for other countries. In recent years, several studies have attempted to study the prevalence of HPV in the general population in the Middle East region.
The Executive Board of the Health Ministers’ Council for GCC States in a published a report in 2005 on “1998–2005 Cancer Incidence Report of Gulf Corporation Council States”, which states that cervical cancer is the 11th most common cancer in the GCC states. The report further shows that between January 1998 and December 2005, there were 1,314 cervical cancer cases reported from all GCC states, accounting for 1.8 percent of all cancers and 3.6 percent of cancers among females.
The overall rate for women in all GCC States was 3.0 per 100,000 of the population. Qatar reported the highest incidence of cervical cancer (8.4 per 100,000 women) followed by Oman (7.8), Bahrain (6.5), UAE (5.9), Kuwait (4.5), and KSA (2.2). The UAE’s Cancer Registry Program revealed that the annual average of the reported cervical cancer cases had tripled in 2005 when compared with that from 1998-2004.
Khoja said that that the executive body discussed today a number of technical issues including the fight against non-communicable diseases, health care quality services , patient safety, complementary and alternative medicine, and the establishment of Gulf preventive and curative advanced cancer patients center , and the establishment of Gulf centers for anti-smoking and health research priorities in common.
The executive director commended the health care services rendered by the Saudi government for the Haj pilgrims under the guidance of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah. He also wished King Abdullah to get well soon from surgery ,which is expected to performed on him at the King Abdul Aziz Medical City National Guard Hospital in Riyadh.
The meeting will also chalk out the agenda for the 44th GCC Health Ministers Council meeting scheduled to be held in Bahrain from January 9 to 10.
Study to be carried out on HPV infection in GCC countries
Study to be carried out on HPV infection in GCC countries
Saudi students tackle Hajj challenges with tech
- Musaed app concept highlights Kingdom’s youth-led innovation in service of pilgrims
RIYADH: A team of students at King Abdulaziz University has developed a mobile app designed to help Hajj pilgrims navigate their journey with ease, eliminating a common challenge faced during the intense pilgrimage: getting lost.
Led by student Hassan Al-Sulami, the team created the Musaed app, an interactive tool that can help pilgrims locate their camps and navigate crowded areas.
“The innovative idea aims to ease the pilgrims’ journey by presenting it at the upcoming Hajj and Umrah Conference, seeking a sponsor to adopt it,” Al-Sulami said. “We are working to integrate it into the Nusuk Haq Hajj app.”
HIGHLIGHTS
• Although the app is still in its prototype phase and pending official approvals, the Musaed project reflects the creativity and technical potential of Saudi youth.
• Led by Saudi student Hassan Al-Sulami, the Musaed app is an interactive tool that can help pilgrims locate their camps and navigate crowded areas.
The app was born out of firsthand observation during the 2022 Hajj, when Al-Sulami and his team noticed many pilgrims struggling to find their tents, leading to missed rituals and logistical and transport delays.
Using technologies like the Internet of Things, Musaed enables pilgrims to identify their camp locations on an offline map after an initial download.
A standout feature is its use of the phone’s camera to identify the direction of the camp, similar to how one uses augmented-reality compass function to find the Qibla direction. The app’s concept also includes audio and visual directions that serve as a personal guide to help pilgrims navigate their surroundings.
The app will also provide suggested routes and available facilities, as well as a real-time alert feature that notifies users of congestion. A built-in contact feature allows direct communication with supervisors or relevant authorities, adding a layer of safety and assurance.
Although the app is still in its prototype phase and pending official approvals, the Musaed project reflects the creativity and technical potential of Saudi youth.
With more than 1 million pilgrims arriving each year, initiatives like Musaed offer scalable, tech-forward solutions that support Saudi Arabia’s commitment to serving pilgrims with efficiency and care.
Makkah royal commission leads Saudi Arabia’s push to streamline Hajj operations
- Saleh bin Ibrahim Al-Rashid, CEO of the Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites, said: “Our preparations aim to create an operational environment that empowers relevant authorities and facilitates the pilgrims’ journey”
MAKKAH: Saudi Arabia is rolling out a high-tech, data-driven operational system to improve the pilgrim experience during Hajj, led by the Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites.
The initiatives emphasizes real-time coordination, smart mobility solutions and infrastructure enhancements to manage the flow of millions with greater speed, safety and efficiency, deploying cutting-edge technology and infrastructure improvements and operating on continuous assessment and gradual improvement, according to officials.
At the core of the plan is a shift from reactive approaches to proactive operations. Through continuous assessment and integrated digital tools, the commission empowers authorities and streamlines pilgrim services across holy sites to achieve rapid response and strengthen functional integration.
Saleh bin Ibrahim Al-Rashid, CEO of the Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites, said: “Our preparations aim to create an operational environment that empowers relevant authorities and facilitates the pilgrims’ journey.”
Key elements include field operation rooms, backup buses and human-flow data analysis tools to guide resources and organize crowd movement, as well as electric scooter services and Makkah taxi services within carefully planned zones.
The Transport General Authority has implemented an advanced operational plan for the transport system during the Hajj season, facilitating the movement of more than 2.1 million pilgrims over a few days.
The plan includes several transport systems: Single-trip buses serving 427,433 with 9,094 buses; two-trip services for 209,656 pilgrims using 2,230 buses; a shuttle for 702,251 pilgrims using 4,980 buses; and the Mashaer Metro line serving 423,000 pilgrims.
To support this, the commission is overseeing key roadwork projects, including 1.7 km of the Second Ring Road with 208 meters of bridges and 3.35 km of service roads, as well as two phases of the Third Ring Road totaling more than 8 km, to reduce travel time and improve connectivity between Makkah and the Holy Sites.
The commission also oversees the Kingdom’s Project for the Utilization of Sacrificial Animals, also known as Adahi.
Recent efforts include equipping seven operational complexes over 1 million sq. m, processing more than 1.1 million animals, and expanding distribution to more than 30 countries via platforms such as Ehsan and Saudi Post. AI-powered systems track implementation and enhance efficiency.
The Business Intelligence Center and Makkah Urban Observatory support real-time decision-making and monitor demographic and spatial improvements.
Efforts for health and safety infrastructure include a 200-bed field hospital in Mina; 71 rapid intervention points; 15 mobile ambulance units; and 170,000 sq. m of shaded pedestrian pathways in Muzdalifah lined with 10,000 trees; 64 two-story restroom complexes, and 400 modern water coolers.
In central Makkah, more than 235,000 sq. m of sidewalks and 30,000 sq. m of shade have been added, along with prayer courtyards for 60,000 extra worshippers, all to improve mobility and spiritual access around the Grand Mosque.
Additional upgrades include multi-story tent systems, improved Miqat mosques, and expanded facilities at Al-Taneem and Al-Ji’ranah, enhancing the beginning stages of the pilgrimage.
The commission’s unified vision brings together more than 10 government agencies to support pilgrims logistically and elevate their overall experience through smart, coordinated planning.
Saudi Arabia highlights roles of data, AI in achieving UN goals
- Arab League honors Saudi authority for leading role in digital transformation
RIYADH: The Saudi Data and AI Authority has highlighted the Kingdom’s efforts to use data and artificial intelligence in support of the UN’s 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.
The authority participated in the 22nd session of the UN High-Level Committee on South-South Cooperation, which was held May 27-30, with a presentation titled “Leveraging Science, Technology, and Innovation.”
The Saudi delegation was led by representatives of the Ministry of Economy and Planning and included members of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, and the Saudi Fund for Development.
The authority “showcased its expertise in developing AI- and big data-based digital solutions that enhance decision-making and support international efforts to achieve comprehensive, sustainable development — especially in developing countries — through integrated, innovation-driven technological systems,” according to the SPA, which added that the authority’s participation “reflects Saudi Arabia’s leading role in collaborating with international organizations and governments to exchange successful experiences in data and AI,” and “aligns with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 and strengthens the Kingdom’s presence as in global forums as an active partner in shaping the future of AI.”
Earlier this month, the authority was honored by Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit during the digital commerce exhibition Seamless Middle East in Dubai for its role in advancing Saudi Arabia’s data and AI sector and accelerating digital transformation.
The authority has expanded AI adoption across key sectors, “improving government service efficiency and driving sustainable development through innovative initiatives,” the SPA stated. “By advancing data and AI and building national capabilities, the authority has positioned Saudi Arabia among global AI leaders, supporting Vision 2030’s digital economy and knowledge society goals.”
Mauritanian president arrives in Madinah
- President Mohamed Ould Cheikh Ghazouani performed prayers at the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah
MADINAH: President of Mauritania Mohamed Ould Ghazouani arrived in Madinah on Saturday to visit and pray at the Prophet’s Mosque.
Ghazouani was received at Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz International Airport by Abdul Mohsen bin Nayef bin Hamid, undersecretary of Madinah; the director of the Royal Protocol Office in the region Ibrahim bin Abdullah Barri; and a number of other officials, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to Pakistan Nawaf bin Saeed Al-Malki met Mohamed Ali Randhawa, the chairman of Pakistan’s Capital Development Authority in Islamabad on Saturday. They discussed issues of common interest, according to a post made by the ambassador on X.
Body of Saudi boy who fell into river in Turkiye recovered
- The body was recovered following an extensive six-day search by Turkish rescue teams
- Media reports said the boy, 9, fell into Haldizen Creek during a family holiday in Trabzon
BEIRUT: Search and rescue teams in Turkiye recovered the body of a nine-year-old Saudi boy on Saturday morning, six days after he reportedly fell into Haldizen Creek in Uzungol region.
The Saudi Embassy in Turkiye confirmed in a statement on X that the body of the boy was recovered following extensive searches by Turkish rescue teams over the past few days, and that the required procedures are underway in coordination with the family and the pertinent authorities.
The boy, who media reports have identified as Faysal Ramzi Al-Sheikh, is believed to have been spending a holiday with his family in Trabzon province when he went missing.
It was reported that he was beside one of the steep banks of the creek when he slipped into the river due to heavy rainfalls which had upped the level of the river water.
In its statement on X, the Saudi Embassy said: “May God have mercy on him … the embassy, in coordination with his family and the competent Turkish authorities, will complete the required procedures.”
It expressed its deep condolences to the family, adding it “sincerely thanks the Turkish authorities for their great efforts in searching for the deceased … and recovering his body.”
