Saudi Fund for Development launches cancer hospital project in Mauritius

Saudi Fund for Development launches cancer hospital project in Mauritius
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Pravind Jugnauth and Sultan bin Abdulrahman Al-Marshad. (SPA)
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Updated 09 May 2024
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Saudi Fund for Development launches cancer hospital project in Mauritius

Saudi Fund for Development launches cancer hospital project in Mauritius
  • Project, built on a development loan of $25 million, was inaugurated by the fund’s CEO Sultan bin Abdulrahman Al-Marshad
  • Saudi Fund for Development has supported Mauritius since 1982 through projects and programs in vital industries

RIYADH: A hospital specializing in cancer care will be built in Mauritius as part of an ambitious healthcare plan by the Saudi Fund for Development.

The project, built on a development loan of $25 million, was inaugurated on Thursday by the fund’s CEO, Sultan bin Abdulrahman Al-Marshad, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The ceremony was attended by the prime minister of Mauritius, Pravind Jugnauth; the country’s minister of health, Dr. Kailesh Kumar Singh; Saudi Ambassador to Mauritius Fayez bin Meshal Al-Tamyaat; and Mauritius’ ambassador to the Kingdom, Showkutally Soodhun.

The hospital is planned to cover 21,000 sq meters and will contain 220 medical beds.

According to the SPA, the fund aims to enhance the efficiency of the healthcare system in Mauritius, providing the highest standards of care and prevention of chronic diseases.

The hospital will also focus on the rehabilitation and development of healthcare services, as well as the care of cancer patients, with a goal of improving access to treatment.

It is part of the fund’s efforts to enhance the pillars of development in developing countries around the world.

The Saudi Fund for Development has supported Mauritius since 1982 through projects and programs in vital industries.

Through seven projects and programs in the country, the fund has delivered about $228 million in development loans, enhancing social and economic growth, and providing job opportunities.


Saudi commission expands music access for people with disabilities

Saudi commission expands music access for people with disabilities
Updated 43 sec ago
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Saudi commission expands music access for people with disabilities

Saudi commission expands music access for people with disabilities
  • Push for accessible arts programming reflects wider goals for social development

MAKKAH: Saudi Arabia’s Music Commission has launched a national initiative to expand access to music education for people with disabilities, marking a key step toward their greater inclusion in the Kingdom’s cultural landscape.

Focused on Riyadh, Jeddah and Alkhobar, the program trains instructors to teach students with physical and cognitive disabilities.

It supports the ambitions of Saudi Vision 2030, which seeks to elevate quality of life and ensure opportunities for all segments of society.

Music education expert Issa Al-Qarbi praised the initiative as a transformative step in supporting individuals with disabilities.

“Music is a highly effective medium for stimulating brain activity, developing motor and social skills, and enhancing overall psychological well-being,” he said.

The initiative includes adapting teaching methods, specialized curricula and fully accessible learning environments aligned with the requirements of the Mowaamah certification, a program which provides support to increase participation among disabled individuals in the labor market.

In designing the program, the commission partnered with international experts in music on the curricula and programs that align with global best practices.

The existing models were reviewed using the standards set by the National Association for Music Education.

The commission’s goal is to empower students to express themselves through music, boost their self-confidence and enhance their social, cognitive and motor skills.

The students will receive extended training that prepares them for group performances while supporting their artistic, cognitive and social development. Sessions with parents and community members are also being planned to raise awareness and encourage family engagement.

Al-Qarbi said that long-term sustainability and lasting impacts could be ensured by closer partnerships between the education and healthcare sectors.

He praised the initiative as a regional model, opening the door to further research and innovation.

He said that teaching music to individuals with disabilities went beyond technical skills, nurturing essential personal qualities such as patience, discipline and social engagement, which in turn positively influenced many areas of their lives.


Saudi surgeons separates Egyptian child from parasitic twin

Saudi surgeons separates Egyptian child from parasitic twin
Updated 30 sec ago
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Saudi surgeons separates Egyptian child from parasitic twin

Saudi surgeons separates Egyptian child from parasitic twin
  • Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah says operation is one of the most delicate carried out by his team
  • Procedure takes 8 hours and involves multidisciplinary team of 26 consultants

RIYADH: A medical team from the Saudi Conjoined Twins Program successfully completed a surgical procedure on Wednesday to separate an Egyptian child from a parasitic twin.

The operation on 8-month-old Mohammed Abdulrahman Juma at King Abdullah Specialist Children’s Hospital in Riyadh took eight hours and was split into six stages. It involved a multidisciplinary team of 26 consultants, including specialists in anesthesia, neurosurgery, pediatrics and plastic surgery.

A parasitic twin, also known as a vestigial twin, is an identical twin that stopped developing during gestation and is physically attached to a fully developed twin. Because it did not fully develop, it cannot survive on its own and often dies in the womb or during birth.

Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, who heads the surgical team and is an advisor at the royal court and supervisor general of Saudi aid agency KSrelief, said the twins were joined at the back, lower chest, abdomen and pelvis. The parasitic twin lacked a head and essential organs, including a heart and kidneys.

Al-Rabeeah described the operation as one of the most delicate his team has been involved with, and thanked his colleagues for their efficiency and skill during the surgery, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Mohammed and his parents flew to Saudi Arabia in March after King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman issued directives for medics in the Kingdom to help the child.

The operation on Wednesday was the 63rd separation procedure carried out under the Saudi Conjoined Twins Program, which has reviewed 149 cases of patients from 27 countries since its inception in 1990.


Saudi foreign minister discusses ties with American counterpart ahead of Trump’s visit

Saudi foreign minister discusses ties with American counterpart ahead of Trump’s visit
Updated 07 May 2025
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Saudi foreign minister discusses ties with American counterpart ahead of Trump’s visit

Saudi foreign minister discusses ties with American counterpart ahead of Trump’s visit
  • Prince Faisal bin Farhan and Marco Rubio held a phone call on Wednesday
  • Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji spoke with his American counterpart Christopher Landau

RIYADH: Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan reviewed ties and strategic partnership with the US during a phone call with Marco Rubio, the secretary of state, on Wednesday.

The officials discussed the latest regional and international developments, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

In a separate phone call, Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji discussed issues of common interest with US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau.

Saudi Arabia is set to receive President Donald Trump on his trip to the Middle East next week.


Saudi Arabia welcomes US-Houthi ceasefire deal

Saudi Arabia welcomes US-Houthi ceasefire deal
Updated 07 May 2025
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Saudi Arabia welcomes US-Houthi ceasefire deal

Saudi Arabia welcomes US-Houthi ceasefire deal
  • The Kingdom reiterated its support for all efforts toward a comprehensive political solution to the Yemeni crisis

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Wednesday that Saudi Arabia welcomed the statement from the Sultanate of Oman announcing a ceasefire agreement in Yemen aimed at safeguarding international navigation and trade.

The Kingdom reiterated its support for all efforts toward a comprehensive political solution to the Yemeni crisis that ensures security and stability for Yemen and the wider region.

The US and the Houthis agreed a ceasefire, mediators announced, saying the deal would ensure "freedom of navigation" in the Red Sea where the Houthis have attacked shipping for months.
The agreement comes after President Donald Trump announced that the US would end attacks against the Houthis after they agreed to stop harassing ships, though he made no direct mention of recent attacks on ally Israel.
Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi on Tuesday said that "following recent discussions and contacts... with the aim of de-escalation, efforts have resulted in a ceasefire agreement between the two sides".


Grand Mosque Library launches new Hajj initiatives

Grand Mosque Library launches new Hajj initiatives
The library houses a vast collection of religious texts, rare manuscripts, and resources in multiple languages across various fi
Updated 07 May 2025
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Grand Mosque Library launches new Hajj initiatives

Grand Mosque Library launches new Hajj initiatives

MAKKAH: The Presidency of Religious Affairs at the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque has launched initiatives to enhance the pilgrim experience during Hajj at the Grand Mosque Library, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday. 

The library, one of the most significant in the Islamic world, houses a vast collection of religious texts, rare manuscripts, and resources in multiple languages across various fields of knowledge. 

Sheikh Abdulrahman Al-Sudais, head of the presidency, highlighted that the library was a cultural and educational platform for spreading religious knowledge, promoting Islamic culture, and fostering moderate thought globally. 

It remains a valuable resource for both students of knowledge and visitors to the two holy mosques, Al-Sudais said.

“The presidency is committed to advancing the library’s scientific and intellectual mission during Hajj and sharing it worldwide,” he added. 

The presidency has begun expanding the library’s role in scientific, intellectual and cultural areas during Hajj, with specialized programs and initiatives designed to serve visitors and researchers.