Saudi telecoms firm in deal to provide vital eye-screening tests for diabetes in Kingdom

Saudi telecoms firm in deal to provide vital eye-screening tests for diabetes in Kingdom
Saad Alrabiah, STC new business development manager, and Professor Selwa Al-Hazzaa, founder and CEO of SDM, sign the MoU to expand diabetic retinopathy screening through AI. (Supplied)
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Updated 09 February 2023

Saudi telecoms firm in deal to provide vital eye-screening tests for diabetes in Kingdom

Saudi telecoms firm in deal to provide vital eye-screening tests for diabetes in Kingdom
  • SDM’s screening technology notifies patients of diabetes stage and if medical intervention is required

RIYADH: Saudi telecommunications firm stc has signed a deal with a health technology company to provide vital checks for eye problems caused by diabetes.

SDM’s screening technology not only identifies if patients have the blood sugar condition but also notifies them of what stage the disease has reached and if medical intervention is required.

The memorandum of understanding agreement on the use of diabetic retinopathy screening through artificial intelligence was inked by Saad Al-Rabiah, stc’s new business development manager, and Prof. Selwa Al-Hazzaa, founder and chief executive officer of SDM, at the stc booth during the recent LEAP 2023 conference.

Al-Hazzaa told Arab News: “This took us about four years; we got the Saudi FDA (Food and Drug Authority) approval. We got the SDAIA (Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority) regulations to approve it. And, then we went to the Ministry of Health.

“SDM is probably the first technological company that deals with retinal image analysis. In simple words, we take a picture of the back of the eye, and we are able to analyze it. And through this analysis, we can figure out what the different stages of diabetes are in the eye.”

Describing stc as “digitally able, an enabler,” and a company that could “take this and fly with it all over the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” she said: “What this artificial intelligence does, or the SDM smart thinker does, is decrease the human resources of any entity.

“It will reduce costs and waiting times for patients having to come in to get an appointment in the hospital, or even in the clinic having to wait.

“And most important, we’re moving it out of the hospitals to decrease patient waiting lists. That will definitely make a big difference when it comes to digital transformation,” she added.

Al-Hazzaa pointed out that the screening technology would help to cut the Kingdom’s spending on diabetic retinopathy.

The World Health Organization has estimated there to be more than 7 million diabetics in Saudi Arabia.

“The only way to do it (examinations) is through automation. Automation has to kick in,” she said.

She noted that 75 percent of the country’s population was not being monitored.

“These patients, ultimately if they don’t get good care, will go blind. I wanted to be able to reach the patients that could not reach the specialized hospitals.” 

Inclusivity has been a major driver of Al-Hazzaa’s mission in growing SDM smart thinker, creating accessible and accurate detection that all patients in the Kingdom can have.

“If you need good-quality care, you have to be able to reach a hospital with this technology.

“Its sensitivity is very high. Its sensitivity is much higher than your general ophthalmologist. It’s much more sensitive than that of the board-certified ophthalmologist,” she added.


Saudi leaders congratulate UAE president on new leadership appointments

Saudi leaders congratulate UAE president on new leadership appointments
Updated 29 min 35 sec ago

Saudi leaders congratulate UAE president on new leadership appointments

Saudi leaders congratulate UAE president on new leadership appointments
  • Bahrain and Qatar’s leaders also congratulated Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed on new appointments
  • Newly-appointed officials received messages of congratulations from the rulers of the rest of the emirates

RIYADH: King Salman of Saudi Arabia and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman congratulated UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Al-Nahyan on new leadership appointments.

On Wednesday, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed appointed his eldest son Sheikh Khaled as the crown prince of Abu Dhabi, and his brother Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al-Nahyan as vice president of the UAE.

He also named his other brothers Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed Al-Nahyan and Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al-Nahyan the deputy rulers of Abu Dhabi.

In their cable of congratulations, the Saudi leaders wished the newly appointed officials success in serving the people of the UAE towards further progress and prosperity. They also reiterated the deep historical ties that unite both countries, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.  

Bahrain and Qatar’s leaders also congratulated Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed on the new appointments.

In a phone call with the UAE president, Qatar’s Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani said he hoped the new appointments would “provide a strong impetus for the country’s development and progress,” reported Emirates News Agency (WAM).

The newly-appointed officials received messages of congratulations from the rulers of the rest of the emirates early Thursday.


Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman project puts its focus on Al-Jubail Mosque

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman project puts its focus on Al-Jubail Mosque
Updated 30 March 2023

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman project puts its focus on Al-Jubail Mosque

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman project puts its focus on Al-Jubail Mosque
  • The initiative aims to increase public awareness about the importance of preserving historical mosques

RIYADH: Al-Jubail Mosque, which is three centuries old and is located in the center of Thaqif in Taif governorate in Makkah, is to be the focus of the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Project for the Development of Historical Mosques.

The initiative aims at reviving the architecture of Al-Jubail Mosque and increasing public awareness about the importance of preserving historical mosques.

The area of the site will reach 310 sq. meters after renovation, while it will maintain its capacity for 45 worshippers.

The reconstruction of the mosque will utilize methods that maintain its main component, stones from the Sarawat Mountains, in addition to local wood which is to be used in ceilings, pillars, windows, and doors.

Following its refurbishment, the mosque will maintain its narrow openings, for which its unique architectural style is famous.

Originally built with juniper wood, which is known for its durability, Al-Jubail Mosque will be reconstructed using granite stones instead of cement to revive the old Sarat architectural style.

The second phase of the Prince Mohammed bin Salman project focuses on 30 mosques across the 13 regions of Saudi Arabia.

The renovation project strikes a balance between integrating modern and ancient building standards to achieve sustainability and development, while preserving the historical characteristics of the mosques.

Saudi companies specializing in old structures, along with engineers from the Kingdom, are involved in helping to preserve each mosque’s authentic architectural identity.

The project’s first phase involved the restoration of 30 mosques in 10 regions.

The project has four strategic objectives: restoring the buildings for worship and prayer; giving an urban authenticity to historical mosques; highlighting the cultural dimension of Saudi Arabia; and enhancing the religious and cultural status of the locations.

It also contributes to highlighting the cultural depth of the Kingdom by helping to preserve the country’s urban characteristics.
 


KSrelief chief, Equatorial Guinea discuss humanitarian work

KSrelief chief, Equatorial Guinea discuss humanitarian work
Updated 30 March 2023

KSrelief chief, Equatorial Guinea discuss humanitarian work

KSrelief chief, Equatorial Guinea discuss humanitarian work
  • Since its inception in May 2015, the KSrelief has implemented 2,315 projects worth more than $6 billion in 90 countries

RIYADH: Supervisor-General of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah received the ambassador of Equatorial Guinea to the Kingdom, Dr. Benigno-Pedro Matute Tang, at the center’s headquarters in Riyadh.

During the meeting, topics of mutual interest related to humanitarian and relief affairs were discussed.

The Guinean ambassador stated appreciation for the center’s efforts exerted in the field of humanitarian work and its efforts to help people and countries in need around the world.

Since its inception in May 2015, the KSrelief has implemented 2,315 projects worth more than $6 billion in 90 countries.

The center’s programs include food security, water sanitation and hygiene, health, education, humanitarian and emergency relief coordination, logistics, nutrition, and emergency telecommunication.

The countries and territories that benefited the most from the center’s various projects were Yemen ($4.2 billion), Palestine ($369 million), Syria ($342 million) and Somalia ($232 million).
 


Who’s Who: Manal Al-Bar, director of marketing at the Jabal Omar Jumeirah Makkah

Who’s Who: Manal Al-Bar, director of marketing at the Jabal Omar Jumeirah Makkah
Updated 30 March 2023

Who’s Who: Manal Al-Bar, director of marketing at the Jabal Omar Jumeirah Makkah

Who’s Who: Manal Al-Bar, director of marketing at the Jabal Omar Jumeirah Makkah

Manal Hashem Al-Bar was recently appointed director of marketing at the Jabal Omar Jumeirah Makkah.

The hotel is the UAE-based chain’s first to open in Saudi Arabia and one of its biggest to date.

Spread across four towers it houses a variety of food and beverage venues, more than 90 retail outlets, a gym, executive lounge, and meeting facilities.

Al-Bar will be responsible for leading the marketing team and overseeing integrated marketing and public relations campaigns for hotel rooms, restaurants, and all other facilities.

With more than 13 years’ experience in hospitality leadership roles in Saudi Arabia, she was previously the marketing director for the Venue Jeddah Corniche Hotel.

Al-Bar also worked as director of marketing at the Bonyan Group where she managed Al-Rashid malls in Abha, Madinah, and Jazan, in addition to Marriott hotels in Madinah and two properties in Jazan.

As marketing manager for the Marriott International group in western Saudi Arabia, she oversaw the opening of several hotels, including the Courtyard, Residence Inn Jazan, and Jabal Omar Makkah Marriott.

After joining Hyatt, she was part of the opening of the Jabal Omar Hyatt Makkah, the company’s first branded hotel in Makkah and first Hyatt Regency brand in Saudi Arabia where she developed the marketing plan and introduced the brand and hotel offerings.

Al-Bar gained a bachelor’s degree in English language from King Abdulaziz University and successfully completed several courses to build her marketing foundational skills and techniques.

She also attended a Misk leadership program to obtain on-the-job experience.
 


Muslim World League launches food baskets project in Pakistan

Muslim World League launches food baskets project in Pakistan
Updated 30 March 2023

Muslim World League launches food baskets project in Pakistan

Muslim World League launches food baskets project in Pakistan
  • King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center has also delivered 100 tons of dates as a gift from Saudi Arabia to Pakistan

RIYADH: The Muslim World League has launched a program for distributing Ramadan food baskets in Pakistan as part of its humanitarian efforts, and to complement the role of Saudi relief institutions around the world.

A celebration at the MWL office in Islamabad marked the event, with Nawaf bin Saeed Al-Malki, the Saudi ambassador to Pakistan, and  Dr. Jamal Nasir, caretaker minister of health in Pakistan’s Punjab province, in attendance, along with a number of officials.

Saad bin Masoud Al-Harthy, the MWL’s regional director in Pakistan, said that the program would distribute 3,500 food baskets, each weighing 33 kg, covering a family’s needs for a month.

Al-Harthy added that the program was part of humanitarian efforts the MWL provides in all fields across Pakistan to meet the needs of its people.

He said that the program would benefit thousands of poor and impoverished people and widows in the country.

Nasir expressed his gratitude on behalf of the Pakistani government and the nation to King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. He also thanked MWL’s members for their support of Pakistan.

Meanwhile, the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center has delivered 100 tons of dates as a gift from Saudi Arabia to Pakistan. It was handed over by Al-Malki in the presence of a number of senior Pakistani officials.

The gift comes within the relief and humanitarian programs being offered by the government of King Salman to reach families in need in different areas of the world.