Conjoined Filipino twins arrive in Riyadh for surgery

Conjoined Filipino twins arrive in Riyadh for surgery
Akhizah and Ayeesha Yusoph arrived in Riyadh from Manila on Sunday following a Saudi evacuation plan. (SPA)
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Updated 05 May 2024
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Conjoined Filipino twins arrive in Riyadh for surgery

Conjoined Filipino twins arrive in Riyadh for surgery
  • Parents convey appreciation to King Salman, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman

RIYADH: Conjoined Filipino twins arrived in Riyadh from Manila on Sunday following a Saudi evacuation plan coordinated by the Ministry of Health, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Akhizah and Ayeesha Yusoph were born in Panabo City in the Davao del Norte province on the southern island of Mindanao in December 2022. Their bodies share one liver.

The two 16-month-old girls arrived at King Khalid International Airport and traveled to the King Abdullah Specialized Children’s Hospital to be assessed to determine the feasibility of separation surgery.

Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, supervisor general of the Saudi aid agency KSrelief, thanked the Kingdom’s leadership for their support of the flagship Saudi Conjoined Twins Program.

The program, which is spearheaded by Al-Rabeeah, has operated on more than 130 children from 25 countries since 1990. The children were born sharing internal organs with their twin.

Al-Rabeeah spoke of the program’s global significance which marks a milestone in the field of medicine, while aligning with the ambitious goals of Saudi Vision 2030 to elevate the Kingdom’s healthcare services.

The parents of Akhizah and Ayeesha conveyed their heartfelt appreciation to King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for the warm welcome and generous hospitality extended to them following their arrival in the Kingdom.
 


Indonesia’s vibrant culture shines bright at Suwaidi Park

Indonesia’s vibrant culture shines bright at Suwaidi Park
Updated 29 October 2024
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Indonesia’s vibrant culture shines bright at Suwaidi Park

Indonesia’s vibrant culture shines bright at Suwaidi Park
  • Music, dance and food feature at ‘Indonesia Days’ event
  • Praise for Kingdom’s ‘remarkable’ care for other cultures 

RIYADH: The three-day “Indonesia Days” event at Suwaidi Park in Riyadh was a captivating celebration of the rich and vibrant culture of the archipelago.

Concluding on Oct. 29, the event not only showcased the diverse traditions of Indonesia but also highlighted the broader cultural tapestry found within Saudi Arabia, fostering an interactive and engaging experience for all attendees.

As visitors entered the park, they were greeted by the lively sounds of traditional Indonesian music. The atmosphere was electric, filled with the graceful rhythms of the performers.

The performances featured talented musicians and dancers who delighted with their distinctive tunes and movements, creating a joyful sense of community.

A range of games and competitions were designed to introduce young visitors to Indonesia’s rich culture in a fun and educational manner. 

The main stage was a focal point showcasing a variety of artistic performances that included mesmerizing traditional dances and authentic Indonesian songs. 

Each performance told a story, immersing the audience in the cultural narratives that have been passed down through generations. The vibrant costumes and intricate choreography highlighted the beauty and diversity of Indonesian art forms. 

The “Indonesia Days” event featured a bustling bazaar filled with an array of traditional dishes. Food stalls offered everything from savory street snacks to exquisite main courses, allowing for a gastronomic journey through Indonesia. 

The bazaar included shops selling traditional outfits, antiques and cultural artifacts, offering a glimpse into the nation’s artistic heritage. 

Among the unique offerings was a shop Wonderful Indonesia, which specialized in puppets representing famous Indonesian characters.

One of the highlights was the Wayang, a traditional form of puppet theater that originated from the Indonesian island of Java. Wayang performances are still popular in Indonesia, notably in Java and Bali, where they are often featured in rituals, ceremonies and tourist attractions. 

Layla Bieserova, who was selling Wayang dolls, said it was part of the culture. “Each one has a different personality, and it’s like a puppet show that tells a story,” she explained. 

On her experiences in the Kingdom, she said: “I am happy with what is happening in Saudi Arabia and the openness we are witnessing here. The way they care about other cultures is truly remarkable. 

“For example, this event at Suwaidi Park, where everyone is dancing to Indonesian music and joining in with the performers, is wonderful to see.” 

The event provided an opportunity for the Indonesian expatriate community to connect and enjoy traditional dances and food that remind them of home.

Suwaidi Park has hosted events featuring India and the Philippines, and will soon welcome cultural nights from Pakistan, Yemen, Sudan, the Levant, Bangladesh and Egypt.

Entry into the park is free.


KSA signs defense deal with Spain for new corvette ships

KSA signs defense deal with Spain for new corvette ships
Updated 29 October 2024
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KSA signs defense deal with Spain for new corvette ships

KSA signs defense deal with Spain for new corvette ships
  • Agreement enhances naval readiness, security through expanded training and technical support

RIYADH: The Saudi Ministry of Defense signed an executive agreement with the Spanish Ministry of Defense in Madrid on Tuesday to support the construction of three multi-mission Avante 2200 corvette ships.

The deal aims to enhance training, experience exchange, and technical and logistical support for the Royal Saudi Navy as part of the Sarawat project’s expansion contract, the first phase of which was completed with the construction and delivery of five combat ships.

The agreement was signed by Lt. Gen. Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Gharibi, chief of staff of the Royal Saudi Naval Forces, and Antonio Pineiro Sanchez, chief of staff of the Spanish Navy.

This agreement seeks to strengthen cooperation between the defense ministries to benefit the Royal Saudi Navy’s Sarawat project by constructing and supplying three additional Avante 2200 corvettes.

These capabilities will enhance the naval forces’ readiness to defend the Kingdom, protect vital interests, improve maritime security in the region, and support the national defense strategy under Vision 2030.

The agreement includes technical support from the Spanish Navy during the ships’ construction, system inspection and testing, and cooperation in academic and practical training for the crews of the second group of Avante 2200 ships.

It also covers operational and tactical training after delivery and commissioning for the Royal Saudi Naval Forces.

The three additional ships will have technical and combat specifications similar to those of the five previously delivered under the Sarawat project and will be equipped to handle air, surface, and subsurface threats with the latest combat and engineering systems.

At the conclusion of the signing ceremony, Al-Gharibi recorded a message in the VIP register, and both parties exchanged commemorative gifts and took group photos.


Saudi AI chief highlights ethical innovations at Riyadh CSR forum

Saudi AI chief highlights ethical innovations at Riyadh CSR forum
Updated 29 October 2024
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Saudi AI chief highlights ethical innovations at Riyadh CSR forum

Saudi AI chief highlights ethical innovations at Riyadh CSR forum

RIYADH: Combining the use of artificial intelligence with social responsibility has huge potential to create a better world, the president of the Saudi Data and AI Authority has said.

Speaking at the two-day Global Corporate Social Responsibility Forum in Riyadh, Abdullah Al-Ghamdi said that by harnessing the power of AI, fundamental changes could be seen in education, health, humanitarian efforts and environmental sustainability.

At the event, themed “From Commitment to Impact” and which ended on Tuesday, he highlighted several of the authority’s initiatives. These included the Elevate program, to train 25,000 women; the International AI Olympiad, with participants from 25 countries; and ALLaM, the first Saudi AI system to answer questions in Arabic.

In the health arena, he talked about “Eyenai,” an AI tool developed for early diagnosis of eye diseases, which helped 846 patients last year.

He also discussed efforts to empower individuals with disabilities, including those on the autism spectrum, by providing digital access to their Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development cards through the Tawakkalna app.

Al-Ghamdi mentioned the Ehsan platform which helps in the charity and volunteering sector by using AI to manage donations. This has benefited 4.8 million people, with over SR8.3 billion ($2.2 billion) raised.

Collaborating with environmental and energy ministries, the authority also applies AI to projects such as the Saudi Green Initiative’s urban afforestation, he said.

Al-Ghamdi added that by establishing the International Center for Artificial Intelligence Research and Ethics in Riyadh, in partnership with UNESCO, the Kingdom was demonstrating its commitment to AI ethics.

He stressed that realizing AI’s potential required collaboration among governments, companies and individuals, with a priority on ethics and human values.


Thousands treated under KSrelief volunteer medical program

Thousands treated under KSrelief volunteer medical program
Updated 29 October 2024
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Thousands treated under KSrelief volunteer medical program

Thousands treated under KSrelief volunteer medical program
  • Nursing, infectious diseases, emergency clinics provide care
  • Services provided for vulnerable people in Yemen, Mauritania

RIYADH: Thousands have recently benefitted from the volunteer medical services provided by the Kingdom’s aid agency KSrelief in Yemen and Mauritania, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.

In September, mobile clinics in the Haradh district of Yemen’s Hajjah governorate provided medical services more than 2,000 people.

Among those treated were 732 patients who received preventive care for epidemic diseases.

The emergency clinic treated 391 patients, while 314 individuals received treatment in the internal medicine clinic.

Medical staffers in the Al-Gharza area treated 884, 631, 532 and 35 people in the emergency, internal medicine, infectious diseases, and surgery and dressing clinics and departments, respectively.

Additionally, the nursing services department treated 588 patients, medicines were dispensed to 2,047 individuals, and the awareness and education clinic assisted eight individuals.

Eight waste-disposal activities were also carried out.

Also, 19 patients benefited from reproductive health services, and eight individuals participated in awareness and education sessions.

In terms of ancillary services, 712 people received nursing care, 1,399 individuals were provided with medication, 72 patients received care in the surgery and dressing clinic, and eight waste-disposal activities were completed.

In addition, 321 specialized operations were carried out in Nema, Mauritania from Oct. 9 to 16.

The medical team members, who are a part of the Saudi Noor volunteer program to combat vision-related conditions, screened 3,150 individuals and provided spectacles for 825 during the period.


Saudi aid agency distributes thousands of food parcels globally

Saudi aid agency distributes thousands of food parcels globally
Updated 29 October 2024
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Saudi aid agency distributes thousands of food parcels globally

Saudi aid agency distributes thousands of food parcels globally

RIYADH: The Kingdom’s aid agency KSrelief has continued to distribute food aid to thousands of vulnerable people across the globe, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.

The agency recently distributed 916 food aid parcels and 916 hygiene kits in the Idlib region of Syria, benefiting 5,496 individuals.

And in Syria’s Aleppo a further 517 food parcels and 517 health kits were delivered, benefitting 3,102 people.

In South Sudan 2,000 displaced families in the Equatorial region received food aid.

And a further 2,387 food aid packages were distributed in the Batken region of Kyrgyzstan, reaching 113,935 people as a part of the 2024 food aid initiative for vulnerable families in the country.