King Faisal hospital displays innovations and solutions 

King Faisal hospital displays innovations and solutions 
The hospital’s pavilion will present its latest innovations and solutions in the health sector, as well as their effect on healthcare outcomes, the patients’ experience and operational efficiencies. (SPA)
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King Faisal hospital displays innovations and solutions 

King Faisal hospital displays innovations and solutions 

RIYADH: The Global Health Forum 2024 will be held in Riyadh from Oct. 21 to 23 with the participation of King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre as a platinum sponsor.

The hospital’s pavilion will present its latest innovations and solutions in the health sector, as well as their effect on healthcare outcomes, the patients’ experience and operational efficiencies.

These innovations include robotic cardiac surgery, organ transplants, CAR-T cell production and pharmacogenetic analysis. The pavilion will also present the capacity command centre and its achievements in employing virtual reality technologies in medical education.

The hospital’s participation in the forum is part of its commitment to explore new trends, envision the future of healthcare and strengthen its position as an institution at the forefront of global healthcare innovation. 

The hospital will introduce pavilion visitors to the achievements that made it a pioneer in the medical field, including performing the world’s first fully robotic heart transplant. The research center is famous for the local production of CAR-T cells.

This achievement is a qualitative addition to specialized healthcare in the Kingdom, reducing the financial burdens previously associated with manufacturing conditions elsewhere.


 


KSrelief has implemented 1,029 food, agriculture and water aid projects worldwide

KSrelief has implemented 1,029 food, agriculture and water aid projects worldwide
Updated 36 sec ago
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KSrelief has implemented 1,029 food, agriculture and water aid projects worldwide

KSrelief has implemented 1,029 food, agriculture and water aid projects worldwide
  • The center has completed 902 projects related to food and agricultural security worth over $2 billion

RIYADH: The Kingdom’s aid agency KSrelief has implemented 1,029 food, agriculture and water projects for vulnerable communities worldwide since its formation in 2015, the Saudi Press Agency reported recently.

The center has completed 902 projects related to food and agricultural security worth over $2 billion.

In addition, it has carried out 28 nutrition projects worth $187.6 million, and 99 water and sanitation projects worth $294.3 million globally.

Food security remains a key pillar for the development and strengthening of communities and nations, the SPA report stated.

It boosts local economies, achieves environmental sustainability, improves public health, and reduces poverty and hunger.

This is achieved through land reclamation, good agricultural production, and the provision of water for drinking and other purposes.

KSrelief has been at the forefront of countries dedicated to addressing the risks of famine, desertification, water scarcity, and malnutrition in needy countries around the world.


Qiddiya launches training program to boost Saudi job market 

Qiddiya launches training program to boost Saudi job market 
Updated 7 min 37 sec ago
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Qiddiya launches training program to boost Saudi job market 

Qiddiya launches training program to boost Saudi job market 
  • ‘Playmakers Training Programs’ a key step to create a vibrant workforce

In efforts to drive career opportunities in the Kingdom, Qiddiya Investment Company announced the launch of the “Playmakers Training Programs,” the Saudi Press agency reported on Thursday.

The programs are open to people from a range of educational backgrounds, with the minimum requirement being a high school-level education.

After successfully completing the course, participants will be offered a job at Qiddiya.

Abdullah Aldawood, managing director of Qiddiya Investment Company, said: “We are thrilled to launch the ‘Playmakers Training Programs,’ which represent a significant step in Qiddiya’s mission to develop Saudi talent and create a vibrant, skilled workforce for the entertainment, hospitality, sports and culture sectors, among others.

“By providing a wide range of training programs that lead directly to job opportunities, we are not only supporting Vision 2030 but also empowering individuals to embark on meaningful careers within the Qiddiya ecosystem.”

The programs will offer a broad range of training opportunities catering to different career aspirations.

From short-term courses to vocational training and higher education degrees, the programs are designed to prepare participants for employment in Qiddiya City sites such as Six Flags, Aquarabia, and Speed Park Track.

Qiddiya has signed MoUs with top global and local entertainment and hospitality training partners and is engaging additional partners to support the next phase of its training programs.

The first set of programs involve training for the entertainment and hospitality sectors, and there are plans in place to extend the offerings to sports, culture and more over time.

Qiddiya also works closely with government and non-profit organizations that share the same goals to upskill and train the Kingdom’s future talent.

Qiddiya has also inaugurated an online platform providing comprehensive information about all available training programs.

Interested candidates can browse through the catalog available on the platform and submit their applications for their program of choice.

Qiddiya anticipates creating 325,000 jobs in Qiddiya City and an additional 22,000 jobs across the Kingdom in Saudi Entertainment Ventures.

Launched in 2018 by King Salman bin Abdulaziz, Qiddiya City is a massive entertainment project under construction on the outskirts of Riyadh.

Located in the Tuwaiq mountains about 40 minutes from Riyadh, Qiddiya is set to be home to more than 600,000 residents.

The development will include 25 different districts with entertainment zones, sports and culture, mixed-use areas, and residential communities.

More information on the newly launched training programs can be found at the official website: https://qiddiya.com/training-programs/.


Saudi FM receives phone call from Secretary Blinken

Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan received a phone call from US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan received a phone call from US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
Updated 26 min 38 sec ago
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Saudi FM receives phone call from Secretary Blinken

Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan received a phone call from US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan received a phone call from US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday.

During the phone call, developments in the region and efforts made with regard to them were discussed, Saudi Press Agency reported. 


Saudi academy launches diploma to improve Arabic skills for government employees

KSGAAL Secretary-General Abdullah Al-Washmi (third from left) speaks during the launch of the higher diploma in proofreading.
KSGAAL Secretary-General Abdullah Al-Washmi (third from left) speaks during the launch of the higher diploma in proofreading.
Updated 48 min 23 sec ago
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Saudi academy launches diploma to improve Arabic skills for government employees

KSGAAL Secretary-General Abdullah Al-Washmi (third from left) speaks during the launch of the higher diploma in proofreading.
  • Diploma program aims to enhance linguistic proficiency in government sectors by providing high-quality training in diverse areas of proofreading

RIYADH: King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language, or KSGAAL, has announced the opening of registration for a higher diploma in Arabic, which started from Oct. 16.

This diploma program aims to enhance linguistic proficiency in government sectors by providing high-quality training in diverse areas of proofreading and qualifying specialists in this field.

The higher diploma program seeks to enhance linguistic identity and ensure adherence to the standards of Arabic language, explained KSGAAL Secretary-General Dr. Abdullah Al-Washmi.

KSGAAL Secretary-General Dr. Abdullah Al-Washmi. (Supplied)

The diploma also enhances the role of the Arabic language in professional fields, increases its effective use within Saudi entities and institutions, and contributes to meeting the labor market’s demands, Al-Washmi said.

He said that the higher diploma was accredited by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development and based on high-quality training standards.

Al-Washmi added that this certificate qualified trainees for an additional degree if they held the 10th rank or below within the public employee salary scale.

The program also aims to maintain the integrity of the language and support it in both pronunciation and writing, in addition to facilitating its teaching and learning both within the Kingdom and abroad.

Graduates of the proofreading diploma program are expected to possess advanced linguistic knowledge and skills.

This program qualifies its graduates for job opportunities as “linguistic specialists” and “proofreaders,” according to the unified Saudi classification of professions in both the public and private sectors.

The proofreading diploma is set to last for a full academic year, totaling 435 training hours.

Speaking the Arabic language enhances cultural and national identity as it is an integral part of this identity.

Dr. Ayman Bayoumi Al-Jundi, a professor of grammar and morphology at Imam Muhammad bin Saud Islamic University. (Supplied)

Consequently, proficiency in Arabic reflects employees’ respect for local culture and strengthens their national belonging, said Dr. Ayman Bayoumi Al-Jundi, a professor of grammar and morphology at Imam Muhammad bin Saud Islamic University.


How AI-driven robotics is transforming healthcare in Saudi Arabia

How AI-driven robotics is transforming healthcare in Saudi Arabia
Updated 17 October 2024
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How AI-driven robotics is transforming healthcare in Saudi Arabia

How AI-driven robotics is transforming healthcare in Saudi Arabia

RIYADH: Robots have lived among us for years, from our factory assembly lines to the autonomous vehicles sorting our parcels. Now, with rapid advances in artificial intelligence, our robot companions are taking on even more sophisticated tasks — even heart surgery.

With their precision and steadiness of hand, robots are able to perform delicate procedures often beyond the abilities of even the most skilled human surgeons, proving less invasive for the patient, offering faster recovery times, and reducing the risk of post-op infection.

According to the World Economic Forum, the market for robot-assisted surgery is expected to surpass $14 billion by 2026. Having invested heavily in health sector innovation, Saudi Arabia is already making significant strides in the adoption of AI-driven robotics in medicine.

In September, a cardiac team at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center in Riyadh achieved a historic milestone by performing the world’s first fully robotic heart transplant on a 16-year-old boy who was facing end-stage heart failure.



Dr. Feras Khaliel, head of cardiac surgery and director of the Robotics and Minimally Invasive Surgery Program at KFSHRC, said the success of the procedure represents a monumental leap in robot-assisted surgery, and highlights AI’s game-changing role.

“AI is an invaluable tool,” Khaliel told Arab News. “It allows us to process a substantial amount of data in real time, providing insights that improve our decision-making in the operating room. But it’s not replacing surgeons — it’s enhancing what we can do.”

The surgery was conducted using the Da Vinci Surgical System, a robotic platform renowned for its precision and control, developed by the US biotechnology company Intuitive Surgical.

Combined with AI, it provides real-time analytics during surgery, continuously processing data, offering clinical insights, and allowing for instant adjustments.

DID YOU KNOW?

1. Saudi Arabia performed the world’s first fully robotic heart transplant at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center.

2. The surgery used the Da Vinci Surgical System, renowned for its precision and real-time analytics.

3. Robotic surgery offers less invasive procedures, faster recovery times, and reduced post-operative risks.

4. KFSHRC ranks among the top five centers for robotic heart procedures globally, with a 98% survival rate.


Da Vinci Xi is the world’s most widely used multiport robotic surgery system, able to perform a wide array of medical procedures.

The system’s robotic arms, guided by human hands, allow doctors to operate through tiny incisions, thereby avoiding the open-chest incisions normally required for major heart surgery.

“We’ve always known the potential of robotic systems, but seeing it applied to something as intricate as a heart transplant was extraordinary,” said Khaliel. “The precision we achieved would have been impossible using conventional techniques.”

By incorporating AI, the team was able to make critical decisions with extreme accuracy, responding instantly to any changes in the patient’s condition.



To ensure the patient’s safety, the team conducted rigorous preoperative simulations, practicing the entire procedure seven times over three consecutive days. This allowed them to define every step and minimize potential complications.

Each step of the surgery was calibrated for precision. The robotic instruments underwent multiple tests to ensure optimal performance, and the team continuously monitored the data system throughout the procedure.

This minimally invasive approach not only reduced the risk of complications, but also significantly shortened the patient’s recovery time and minimized scarring, marking a major advancement in transplant surgery.

“The success of this groundbreaking surgery really came down to a few key elements; the advanced technology, meticulous planning, rigorous simulations, and flawless team coordination,” said Khaliel.

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Data collected during the surgery — such as precision metrics, patient response, and system performance indicators — will be analyzed to refine future techniques. This will not only improve the robotic surgery program, but also contribute to broader research in robotic transplants.

Khaliel believes AI will play a growing role in surgery, becoming a real-time partner in the operating room, offering predictive insights and optimizing surgical pathways. Indeed, human surgeons will continue to have a place, applying their expertise and intuition.

The advent of AI-driven robotics will, however, transform how he and his colleagues work together as a team and will demand highly specialized technical skills and proficiencies in the use of advanced robotics and the ability to interpret data-driven insights provided by AI.



KFSHRC is no stranger to medical firsts. With more than 400 robotic cardiac surgeries already under its belt, the hospital ranks among the top five centers for robotic heart procedures worldwide.

Its Robotic Cardiac Surgery Program has achieved a 98 percent survival rate, performing complex surgeries such as multi-valve operations and aortic valve replacements.

The success of this latest robotic heart transplant opens the way for more complex procedures to be performed with greater safety and efficiency.

KFSHRC’s leadership in robotics and AI not only improves patient outcomes, but also positions the Kingdom as an emerging world leader in healthcare innovation.