The International Day for the Elderly, observed by the United Nations annually in early October, was marked this year by concerns raised over the absence of health insurance and regulations that guarantee the elderly in the Kingdom a dignified life.
Member of the National Committee for the Retired, Dr. Fawziya Akhdar, said Saudi Arabia has been excluded from the Global AgeWatch Index, which takes its information from the UN and World Bank reports and classifies the level of care for the elderly in 96 countries around the world.
“The situation is bad. Shelters for the elderly are weak with limited potential in addition to the absence of quality health insurance for this section of society,” she said, adding that elderly people often can’t benefit from the free health services provided to them in government hospitals because they are unable to reach there.
Health authorities in advanced countries offer health care to the elderly at home by sending officials to ensure they take their medication correctly, especially those suffering from diabetes.
Fawziya who heads the female section of the National Committee for the Retired said the existing mechanisms for the elderly do not guarantee them a dignified life especially if they are dependent on grown sons who don’t take care of them.
She said societies for the elderly are small in number. “The ideal situation would be for the elderly to be provided with health and transportation insurance, or home health care in addition to an annual raise especially in light of the current cost of living.”
There are an estimated 700,000 elderly people in Saudi Arabia but the actual statistics may be higher.
According to the Global AgeWatch Index, Norway topped the list in the quality of care for the elderly, followed by Sweden, Switzerland, Canada and Germany. Afghanistan came at the bottom of the list while Morocco was 83rd and Jordan ranked 90.
The world index warned against ignoring the rising number of the elderly, saying by 2050, twenty-one percent of the earth’s citizens will be over 60.
The index pointed out that the Gross National Product for the individual doesn’t guarantee luxurious aging; this is related to public policies which allocate certain wages for each individual over 60.
A report published by the World Labor Organization (WLO) showed 52 percent of the elderly get pensions but it is not sufficient. The new report stated that around half of those who exceeded the work age don’t get pensions.
The majority of elderly men and women don’t have wage insurance, and have no rights to retirement, which means they continue working if they can.
A study by the WLO under the title, “Social Protection for the elderly: Major statistics and politics” reveal that most countries with low or medium income have widened the retirement coverage through a mixture of finances for social wages from taxes.
The report looked into retirement systems in 178 countries, and found out that more than 45 countries reached 90 percent of covering wages, and 20 developing countries got close to achieving global coverage levels.
Director of social protection in the WLO Isabel Orotez said a number of developing countries are working to widen the scope of coverage, which is a positive development. She stressed the importance of widening the private retirement systems, and ensure the availability of sufficient retirement wages.
Kingdom excluded from Global AgeWatch Index
Kingdom excluded from Global AgeWatch Index
KSrelief’s charitable work in Yemen, Afghanistan continues
RIYADH: The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) continues its charitable work in Yemen and Afghanistan, with the provision of medical services and shelter kits to individuals in need.
In Yemen, the Al-Ja’dah Health Center clinics in the Midi District of Hajjah Governorate continued to treat beneficiaries from Aug. 21 to 27 through KSrelief’s support.
The clinics provided comprehensive healthcare services to 96,184 patients, including in the field of internal medicine, reproductive health, pediatrics, communicable disease, and emergency services, treated injuries and referred complex cases, state news agency SPA reported.
The center also secured medicines, medical supplies, laboratory reagents and supplies, and medical and non-medical consumables for 60,823 individuals, treated 123 children suffering from malnutrition and vaccinated 451 children.
In Yemen’s Marib Governorate, the Saudi aid agency provided in November medical services to 453 individuals who had lost limbs. KSrelief’s ongoing project has so given 1,829 various services including fitting and rehabilitating prosthetic limbs, physical therapy and specialized consultations.
In Afghanistan, KSrelief distributed on Thursday 276 shelter kits in Khogyani district of Nangarhar province as part of the 2024 shelter project attending to returnees from Pakistan and people affected by floods.
Saudi Arabia condemns Israel’s burning of Gaza hospital
- Kamal Adwan Hospital was one of the last operating in the northernmost part of the Gaza Strip
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia on Friday denounced the burning of a Gaza hospital by Israeli forces and the forced removal of patients and medical staff from the facility.
Hospital officials said that Israeli troops raided Kamal Adwan Hospital on Friday, gathered staff outside the facility, removed their clothes, and took them to an unknown location.
Israeli soldiers then set fire to several parts of the facility, which is one of the last operating in the northernmost part of the Gaza Strip, including the surgery department, according to the Palestinian health ministry in the enclave.
The actions constitute a violation of international law, international humanitarian law, and the most fundamental humanitarian and ethical norms, said a statement by the Saudi foreign ministry.
Israel claimed Hamas fighters had been operating in the facility, which hospital officials denied.
Saudi Arabia to provide $500m in new economic support for Yemen
- Budget, stability, Central Bank of Yemen targeted
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia announced on Friday a new economic support package for Yemen worth $500 million and aimed at bolstering the government’s budget, stabilizing the Central Bank of Yemen, and fostering the development and stability of the Yemeni people.
The latest assistance includes a $300 million deposit into the Central Bank of Yemen to improve economic and financial conditions, alongside $200 million to address the Yemeni budget deficit, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The latest funding forms part of a larger $1.2 billion initiative through the Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen. The program focuses on enhancing food security; supporting wages and operating expenses; and aiding the Yemeni government in implementing its economic reform agenda.
The new support aims to establish economic, financial, and monetary stability in Yemen by strengthening public finances, building government institutional capacity, and enhancing governance and transparency, the SPA added.
The assistance will empower the private sector to drive sustainable economic growth, create job opportunities, and place Yemen’s national economy on a more sustainable path for economic and social development.
Saudi Arabia’s previous economic assistance included deposits in the Central Bank of Yemen, which increased foreign exchange reserves, stabilized the local currency, reduced exchange rates, and stimulated the growth in gross domestic product.
The assistance also lowered fuel and diesel costs, reduced prices of imported food commodities, and supported the import of essential goods, including wheat, rice, milk, cooking oil, and sugar.
In addition, Saudi grants have helped the Yemeni government manage operating expenses, pay salaries, and mitigate the economic crisis by boosting foreign exchange reserves and restoring confidence in Yemen’s financial institutions.
These measures reduced reliance on borrowing to finance budget deficits, enhanced financial system stability, and alleviated inflationary pressures.
Saudi Arabia has also prioritized critical sectors in Yemen through grants and projects implemented by SDRPY, including more than 260 development initiatives across various Yemeni governorates, covering education, health, water, energy, transportation, agriculture, and fisheries.
These projects have improved access to essential services; provided medical treatments for chronic diseases and cancer patients; supported education; and ensured the provision of petroleum derivatives for electricity generation.
Saudi Arabia’s grants for petroleum derivatives have played a vital role in operating 80 power plants across Yemen, boosting energy efficiency and revitalizing productive and service sectors.
Diriyah Season exhibition honors symbols of Saudi resilience
- Imam Turki bin Abdullah’s legacy explored in immersive display for Second Saudi State’s bicentennial anniversary
RIYADH: Diriyah Season’s “Enduring Resilience” exhibition highlights the life of ruler Imam Turki bin Abdullah in celebration of the 200th anniversary of the establishment of the Second Saudi State.
“I enjoyed the exhibition. I honestly think that exhibitions like this are so important because they show Saudi history and the bravery of important people of the past, such as Imam Turki bin Abdullah,” said Maha Al-Aamri, a Saudi visiting the exhibition being held at Diriyah’s Bujairi Terrace with her friends.
Speaking about what stood out to her, she said, “All of it … The storytelling about Al-Ajrab Sword was probably the best part of the exhibition.”
Al-Ajrab Sword is one of the most well-known symbols of the Kingdom’s history, representing the courage, determination, and nobility of Imam Turki in unifying and restoring the sovereignty of the Second Saudi State in 1824 when he entered Riyadh.
HIGHLIGHTS
• Al-Ajrab Sword is one of the most well-known symbols of the Kingdom’s history.
• It represents the courage, determination, and nobility of Imam Turki bin Abdullah in unifying and restoring the sovereignty of the Second Saudi State in 1824.
Through the exhibition, visitors are transported back in time through a guided and immersive journey that explores how Imam Turki established and shaped the Second Saudi State, reclaiming the land and restoring the legacy of his ancestors.
“The experience was very nice and something different to try,” Vindeep Gupta, a computer technician working and living with his family in Riyadh, told Arab News.
“I will just say that I wish it (the exhibition) was bigger, but I like that it captured the struggles and challenges in achieving the victory … The historians did a good job in making the display,” he said.
Among the areas of the exhibition where visitors noticeably spent more time taking pictures and videos was Turki’s Cave.
According to a document published by the Diriyah Gate Development Authority, Imam Turki sought refuge in a cave high atop a rugged mountain, choosing it as his base of operations. The cave, located in Aliyyah, became one of the most well-known in Najd.
Its inaccessibility made it a perfect hideout, strategically situated near several key towns and villages including Al-Kharj, Al-Houtah, Al-Hareeq, Al-Hulwah, and Al-Dalam.
The exhibition, in Arabic with English translation, is open to the public until the end of the year. It offers a deeper understanding of the values of unity, belonging, justice, and loyalty that were exhibited by the imams of the state.
Black limes: a unique staple of Middle Eastern and North African cuisine
- Dried citrus adds zesty kick to dishes
- Originated as a way to preserve fruit in hot climes
RIYADH: Anyone who has not yet dived into the world of black limes is in for a treat. Known in English as dried limes or black lemons, these intriguing ingredients are referred to as noomi basra in Iraq, limoo amani in Iran, and loomi in Saudi Arabia and Oman.
They are a must-have for elevating culinary creations and have graced dishes across the Middle East and North Africa for more than 1,000 years. It’s about time they were brought into every kitchen.
So, what exactly are black limes? Think of them as the sophisticated cousins of fresh limes. They undergo a transformation process: first, they are packed in salt, and then they bask in the sun until they turn a striking black.
The result is a hard, dried fruit that delivers a remarkable burst of flavor.
When it comes to taste, black limes pack a powerful punch. The flavor is a harmonious blend of sour and slightly sweet, rounded out by a touch of bitterness.
“It was a game-changer to realize that (adding black lime) isn’t just about adding tanginess to a dish — it’s a full-on spice with a smoky aroma and earthy notes that bring out so much flavor,” Shadia Al-Bayat — a home cook from Qatif — told Arab News.
“Beyond that, it’s packed with nostalgia, calling to mind traditional Gulf dishes like seafood, grilled meats, and hearty stews. It’s also the key to the signature hot ‘loomi’ tea, a staple at traditional gatherings and celebrations,” Al-Bayat added.
FASTFACTS
• Black limes are packed in salt and then they bask in the sun until they turn a striking black.
• They add a zesty kick to Saudi dishes; they originated as a way to preserve fruit in hot climate.
This unique profile makes them perfect for enhancing stews, tagines and a variety of other dishes. A black lime added to a cooking pot will instantly elevate any meal.
Cooks can get creative with black limes. They can be used whole or crushed into powder, allowing for versatility.
Imagine a flavorful tagine or a warming soup that gets a delightful kick from a black lime. If preferred, the lime can be removed before serving, but leaving it in adds an appealing touch.
For something refreshing, blend black limes into limonana, a delightful drink that combines lemon and mint, perfect for quenching thirst.
And for something soothing, consider brewing some dried lime tea — a comforting drink that can settle the stomach and provide a sense of warmth.
They also make excellent additions to marinades for meats and fish, giving dishes a fantastic zest.
In Saudi cuisine, loomi is a prized ingredient that adds a distinctive tangy flavor to traditional dishes.
In kabsa, a popular rice dish, black lime is added whole or ground to add acidity and elevate the dish’s depth.
Black limes have a history that dates back centuries. They are believed to have originated in the Middle East and North Africa, where they were a valued ingredient in ancient cooking.
Historically, they were prized not just for their flavor, but also for their ability to preserve food in the warm climate. Over time, dried limes became a staple in various cuisines, with each culture adding its own flair to their use.
Today, they are recognized for their versatility and are celebrated in dishes in many cultures.
Beyond their culinary charm, black limes come with health benefits, too. Packed with vitamin C, calcium and potassium, they are a nutritious addition to any diet.
Black limes are a cultural staple. While they share ties with fresh limes, black limes have a distinct personality, bringing an intriguing bitterness and complexity to dishes.
They can even be spotted in spice blends like baharat, because a little extra flavor never hurt anyone.
Black limes are a unique and flavorful ingredient that can bring depth to cooking and are worth adding to any culinary repertoire to impress the taste buds.
