Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein, Chairwoman of Dubai Healthcare City Authority (DHCA) and wife of Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, vice-president and prime minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, yesterday set the foundation stone for the AED 400-million Dr. Sulaiman Al-Habib Hospital at Dubai Healthcare City.
The 200-bed facility that will take shape over an area of 175,000 square feet is projected to signal a massive shift in the UAE integrated health care industry.
The new Dr. Sulaiman Al-Habib Hospital at Dubai Healthcare City will include an integrated center for cardiac surgery comprising of diagnostic clinics and a cardiac catheterization unit. It will additionally feature emergency units for cardiac patients and more than 32 integrated intensive care units for all ages and various medical conditions (ICU, CCU, and NICU for newborn and preterm children).
Once complete, it will prove a strong addition to Dubai’s health care portfolio and significantly strengthen the Emirate’s health care infrastructure.
The facility will be fitted with state-of-the-art emergency departments, as well as surgical theaters, delivery rooms and hypnosis suites. The hospital will integrate an electronic filing system for the benefit of patients and to provide doctors with updated and easily retrievable medical history and pathology results.
Dr. Sulaiman Al-Habib, chairman of Dr. Sulaiman Al-Habib Group, said: “Our continuous success in the projects we implement, design and operate in the GCC region has set a benchmark among health care facilities in the Arab region. This has strengthened our ambitions and increased our responsibility toward our patients to continue providing the highest quality of medical care and services.”
Al-Habib assured that the new facility would endorse a unique model and serve as a distinct extension of the Group’s hospitals and centers in the GCC region. Leveraging latest developments in all medical specialties, the hospital is set to represent a quantum leap in integrated health care services provided in the UAE.
He added that the medical personnel attached to the Group are leading professionals who remain updated on latest developments in the implementation, operation and development of health facilities through participating in specialized forums and exhibitions.
Al-Habib added: “Our continuous keenness has resulted in several strategic partnerships with major international companies such as GE for diagnostic radiology devices, and Drager for medical gas. Stryker will provide the best types of beds at the new multidisciplinary hospital. We also share a strong association with Roche Laboratories of Germany and other medical companies that have a long tradition in this area.”
Princess Haya, together with Al-Habib and HE Raja Al Gurg, Vice-Chairperson of DHCA and HE Essa Al Maydour, director general of Dubai Health Authority and the DHCA Board Members, visited the facilities at the Dr. Sulaiman Al-Habib Medical Center.
Princess Haya was given a brief tour by Dr. Sulaiman Al Habib Medical Center’s medical director, Dr. Naji Yazbek, as well as other doctors at the facility, where She was shown the medical center’s Dental Department, including the latest dental machines from Sirona, and ophthalmology suites with Visumax, the latest eye vision correction technology in the Middle East.
Afterwards, Princess Haya was escorted to the Radiology Department, which includes the latest MRI and CT Scan Angiogram from GE, and lastly, and the Laboratory, where patients are able to do up to 160 different tests on just one blood sample.
Al-Habib also expressed his appreciation of the efforts and support extended by the Dubai Healthcare City Authority and Dubai Government. He particularly acknowledged their role in promoting concerted investments in the health care sector, adding that such initiatives are outcomes of professional strategic thinking.
Pointing out that the establishment of the new multispecialty hospital is a testimony to the enabling investment environment offered by DHCC, Al-Habib said the destination’s ambition to raise quality standards will eventually benefit the UAE residents as well as media tourism travelers.
Princess Haya sets foundation for Al-Habib Hospital
Princess Haya sets foundation for Al-Habib Hospital
Ministry of Culture launches crafts hackathon as part of Year of Handicrafts
- Registration open until Jan. 31
RIYADH: The Saudi Ministry of Culture has launched a crafts hackathon to bring together creators and innovators from diverse fields.
The event aims to generate innovative solutions for various aspects of the handicrafts sector, including marketing, design and production, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Thursday.
It aligns with the broader objectives of the Year of Handicrafts 2025.
The Ministry of Culture annually celebrates a distinctive Saudi cultural element, highlighting and celebrating it through projects and events.
The year 2025 has been designated as the Year of Handicrafts to solidify the position of handicrafts as authentic cultural heritage while promoting the practice, preservation and documentation of the craft, as well as its presence in contemporary life.
Registration for the hackathon is open until Jan. 31.
The selection of qualified participants will begin in early February, followed by a two-day training camp on Feb. 14-15.
It targets a diverse range of participants, including artisans, designers, developers and programmers. Teams must consist of at least three and no more than five members.
All participants must be at least 18 years old.
Handicrafts have long held a special place in Saudi Arabia’s cultural fabric, representing a prosperous heritage passed down through generations.
Throughout 2025, the ministry will organize an array of events, exhibitions, educational programs and competitions under the banner Year of Handicrafts.
Saudi Foreign Minister receives his Syrian counterpart
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan received on Thursday his Syrian counterpart, Asaad Al-Shibani, in Riyadh, Al Arabiya TV reported.
Al-Shibani arrived with a high-level Syrian delegation, including Defense Minister Marahf Abu Qasra and Intelligence Chief Anas Khattab. They were welcomed at King Khalid International Airport by Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Elkhereiji, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
This marks Al-Shibani's first foreign trip since the ouster of former Syrian president Bashar Assad on December 8. The visit comes after Syria’s new leader, Ahmed Al-Sharaa, praised Saudi Arabia's potential role in shaping Syria’s future during an interview with Al Arabiya on Sunday.
Saudi Arabia launches air bridge to deliver urgent aid to Syria
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia on Wednesday launched an air bridge to deliver essential aid to Syria, supporting efforts under the new leadership to rebuild the country after years of civil war.
Two planes carrying relief supplies landed at Damascus International Airport, Saudi aid agency KSrelief told Arab News.
The planes, which left from King Khalid International Airport, carried food, shelter and medical supplies, along with a KSrelief team to help address the difficult conditions faced by the Syrian people, KSrelief said.
Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, supervisor general of KSrelief, said: “The air bridge launched on Wednesday will be followed by a land bridge in the coming days to provide urgent relief to the Syrian people.”
Al-Rabeeah said that the humanitarian initiative reflects Saudi Arabia’s commitment to supporting those in need worldwide, reaffirming the Kingdom’s dedication to assisting nations in crisis.
He also highlighted Saudi Arabia’s consistent support since the Syrian crisis began in 2011 and its significant role in international humanitarian efforts.
Al-Rabeeah said that, through KSrelief, Saudi Arabia has continuously provided aid to internally displaced Syrians, refugees in neighboring countries, and victims of the northern Syrian earthquake in February 2023.
According to KSrelief, the Kingdom’s total aid to the Syrian people from 2011 to the end of 2024 exceeds $856 million.
The first aircraft was received by Abdullah Al-Harees, charge d’affaires of the Saudi Embassy in Syria; Mohammed Hazem Bakleh, president of the Syrian Arab Red Crescent; and several media representatives.
Al-Harees emphasized that this assistance is part of Saudi Arabia’s ongoing humanitarian efforts through KSrelief, aimed at alleviating the suffering caused by the crisis in Syria.
Bakleh expressed deep gratitude to Saudi Arabia for its humanitarian aid, noting that the relief will be distributed to those in need in all Syrian territories, without discrimination.
Saudi defense minister discusses Syrian political transition with officials
- Syrian delegation was led by foreign minister Asaad bin Hassan Al-Shaibani
- Al-Shibani also held meeting with Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan
RIYADH: Saudi defense minister Prince Khalid bin Salman held a high-level meeting on Thursday in Riyadh with senior officials from Syria’s new administration, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The discussions focused on advancing Syria’s transitional political process to meet the aspirations of the Syrian people while ensuring the nation’s security, stability, and territorial integrity, SPA added.
The Syrian delegation was led by foreign minister Asaad bin Hassan Al-Shaibani, accompanied by defense minister Major General Marhaf Abu Qasra and Chief of the General Intelligence Service Anas Khattab.
The meeting also included prominent Saudi officials, among them Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, Minister of Foreign Affairs; Prince Abdulrahman bin Mohammed, Deputy Minister of Defense and Chief of General Intelligence Khalid bin Ali Al-Humaidan;
The high-level Syrian delegation arrived in Saudi Arabia Wednesday night.
The delegation was received by Saudi Deputy FM Waleed Elkhereiji at Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport.
Al-Shibani, said on X on Monday that he had accepted an invitation from his Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan to visit the Kingdom, in what would be his first foreign trip since the ouster of former president Bashar Assad on Dec. 8.
It follows comments made by Syria’s new leader, Ahmed Al-Sharaa, who said Saudi Arabia had a major role to play in his country’s future during an interview with Al Arabiya, which aired on Sunday.
“Saudi Arabia has a major role in Syria’s future, and I take pride in everything it has done for us,” he said, adding that he spent his early childhood in Riyadh and hoped to visit the city again.
Al-Sharaa also praised recent Saudi statements as “very positive” and commended Riyadh’s efforts toward stabilizing Syria.
Saudi Arabia condemns New Orleans attack
- Texas man crashed a pickup truck into a crowd in New Orleans’s French Quarter before opening fire with a gun, killing at least 10 people and injuring 35
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia condemned and denounced on Wednesday a deadly car ramming in New Orleans, Louisiana, that struck a crowd celebrating New Year’s Eve.
A 42-year-old Texas man crashed a pickup truck into a crowd in the city’s French Quarter before opening fire with a gun, killing at least 10 people and injuring 35, in an early morning attack the FBI said was a potential act of terrorism.
The suspect was fatally shot in an exchange of gunfire with police. Potential homemade bombs were found in the truck and around the French Quarter, the FBI said.
A Daesh flag was also located in the vehicle, the agency added.
A Saudi Foreign Ministry statement expressed the Kingdom’s complete rejection and denunciation of all forms of violence.
It also expressed the Saudi Arabia’s solidarity and sincere condolences to the families of the victims, the American people, and the US government. It also wished the injured a speedy recovery.
