How Saudi child life specialists are supporting young patients

How Saudi child life specialists are supporting young patients
Child life specialist Raghad Al-Salamah from Abdulrahman’s Oasis speaks with Arab News. (Supplied)
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Updated 23 June 2025
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How Saudi child life specialists are supporting young patients

How Saudi child life specialists are supporting young patients
  • Emerging field focuses on welfare of children undergoing medical treatment
  • Specialists aim to reduce anxiety by using play, educating patients

RIYADH: When a 9-year-old boy recovering from a kidney transplant refused to turn on the lights or speak to anyone, a child life specialist entered his room and comforted him by playing in the dark. Weeks later, she watched him take his first steps to recovery, both physically and emotionally.

Raghad Al-Salamah, among the first Saudis to work in the child life field, said the genre plays an important role in preparing children and families for the experience of hospitalization.

She told Arab News: “The main focus of child life is helping families and children cope with their hospitalization and cope with their negative experiences.”

Child life specialists provide support tailored to the child’s age and emotional needs, aiming to reduce anxiety through preparation and play-based methods.

Their work includes explaining medical procedures in ways children can understand while creating a more supportive environment in clinical settings.

Al-Salamah said that, over time, the effect of child life services becomes visible in how children approach their treatment.

She said: “I see the impact during hospitalization: I see that in their eyes, I see how they are, how excited they are I’m here, and how they are coping with their illness … And how they are taking their medication, going through their procedure.

“Sometimes they are doing some procedure with no sedation. So, I really see the impact in the eyes of children and their families.”

Al-Salamah added that some families and healthcare providers still confused the role of child life specialists with other professions in the hospital.

She added: “Some of the families, and healthcare providers, don’t understand what child life is and what it’s doing, so they always mix us up with a play therapist or with a social worker or even with a psychologist.”




Child life specialist Raghad Al-Salamah from Abdulrahman’s Oasis speaks with Arab News. (Screengrab)

She explained how specialists work to educate children about the treatment they will receive, helping them cope with any difficulties. 

A study titled “Reducing Anesthesia and Healthcare Cost Through Utilization of Child Life Specialists in Pediatric Radiation Oncology” found that the presence of certified child life specialists reduced the need for anesthesia by 16 percent among children undergoing radiotherapy.

Another study, “Benefits of a Family-Centered Approach to Pediatric Induction of Anesthesia,” found that when a family-centered model including child life specialists was used, the need for sedation before procedures dropped from 41 percent to 13 percent.

Al-Salamah said she was drawn to the field to prioritize children’s experience in healthcare, adding: “I always was concerned, and had questions regarding the child who had the diagnosis and would live his life with the diagnosis.

“I was always focusing on educating the children and preparing them for their diagnosis and what they would be going through while they were here in the hospital.”

Expanding the role of child life specialists, Al-Salamah said, could strengthen the overall hospital experience for patients and healthcare teams.

“Most hospitals need to begin integrating child life specialists into their programs,” she said. “It has an impact not only on the children, but also on their families and the healthcare teams. It helps everyone in the hospital.”

While child life remains relatively new in Saudi Arabia, the field is gradually being integrated into pediatric care.

Fadi Munshi, executive director of Abdulrahman’s Oasis, the child life foundation in the Kingdom, said that at the early stages of implementation, many people, including healthcare staff, were unfamiliar with its role.

Munshi told Arab News: “We had to raise awareness and explain how emotional and psychological safety support can make a big difference in a child’s healing.”

Munshi said the response from institutions had been encouraging, and added: “Today, two main hospitals have child life teams, and staff often say they cannot imagine going back. Doctors, nurses and families all notice how children are more relaxed and cooperative during procedures.

“Their experience during the hospital stay is more positive, which eventually helps everyone in the healthcare system.”

He said some hospitals had already made significant progress in implementing these services, while others were continuing to build awareness and training capacity.

“We hope that every hospital in the future (can have these services) and this is one of our main goals: that every single child in Saudi Arabia in every hospital can have this care in the future,” Munshi said.

He added that many families had reported improvements in how their children handled their treatment, and said: “Families often tell us their child is less afraid, more comfortable. They ask specifically for the child life team to be present during some stressful painful procedures.”

Fahd Al-Thunayan, the chairman of Abdulrahman’s Oasis, said child life services played a vital role in improving hospital environments for young patients.

He told Arab News: “Everyone knows the fear and anxiety that comes with entering a hospital — how much more (is it) for a child who doesn’t understand many things?”

Child life specialists help create a more humane treatment environment, he said, using various methods to ease pain and provide emotional support.

He added: “The result is a child who is more comfortable, cooperative and less stressed, which reflects positively on faster recovery and better quality of life in the hospital.”

Al-Thunayan said the foundation continues to support efforts aimed at expanding access to the services across the Kingdom, and added: “We aspire for every hospitalized child to have access to child life specialists who support them psychologically and socially, just as they are treated physically.”


Mysterious pink glow lights up northwest Saudi skies

Mysterious pink glow lights up northwest Saudi skies
Updated 56 min 27 sec ago
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Mysterious pink glow lights up northwest Saudi skies

Mysterious pink glow lights up northwest Saudi skies
  • Majed Abu Zahrah: According to the captured images, the spot was clearly illuminated against the dark blue sky
  • Abu Zahrah: This phenomenon could result from vapors of barium, strontium, and ionized oxygen released at high altitudes

JEDDAH: Residents in Saudi Arabia’s northwest have been puzzled by the appearance of what some described as a “bright pink circular spot” in the evening sky — with the phenomenon occurring twice in recent weeks.

The latest incident on July 1 left locals searching for an explanation for the “rare and unfamiliar scene,” Saudi Press Agency reported.

Majed Abu Zahrah, head of the Jeddah Astronomical Society, told SPA that a similar occurrence was recorded on May 13.

“According to the captured images, the spot was clearly illuminated against the dark blue sky … with no accompanying sound or noticeable changes in shape before it began to gradually fade after a few minutes,” he said.

While no official scientific confirmation has yet been issued, Abu Zahrah offered one possible explanation, saying: “This phenomenon could result from vapors of barium, strontium, and ionized oxygen released at high altitudes to study the upper layers of the atmosphere (the ionosphere).” 

For science and astronomy enthusiasts around the Kingdom, he further speculated: “In such experiments, the released vapors glow due to the reflection of residual sunlight after sunset at altitudes exceeding 100 km, forming luminous spots in pink, blue, or green, whose shapes are altered by upper atmospheric winds.”

Abu Zahrah said that the spot also may have resulted from debris in the upper atmosphere, such as remnants of a rocket burn or satellite fragments, along with clouds of gases such as helium or hydrogen.


Africa Day celebrations in Riyadh focus on unity, shared growth

Africa Day celebrations in Riyadh focus on unity, shared growth
Updated 02 July 2025
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Africa Day celebrations in Riyadh focus on unity, shared growth

Africa Day celebrations in Riyadh focus on unity, shared growth
  • Saudi minister outlines $25 billion investment plan and expanded diplomatic presence across the continent

RIYADH: Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed Elkhereiji has reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s commitment to strengthening cooperation and partnership with African countries, promoting trade and integration and enhancing consultation and coordination on shared issues.

Speaking at the Africa Day ceremony at the Cultural Palace in Riyadh’s Diplomatic Quarter, the minister described Africa as a continent of opportunities with natural resources, a young population and renewable potential.

He said African countries were important in Saudi foreign policy, stating: “Africa hosts the largest number of Saudi diplomatic and consular missions, and the Kingdom intends to increase its embassies in Africa to more than 40 in the coming years.”

Artists performing at the Africa Day 2025 held under theme: Justice for Africans and People of African Descent Through Reparations. (AN photo/Basheer Saleh)

Elkhereiji added that the Kingdom had provided more than $45 billion in support for development and humanitarian projects in 54 African countries, with Saudi aid agency KSrelief alone delivering more than $450 million in assistance across 46 African nations.

Elkhereiji added that the Kingdom’s goal was to invest $25 billion in Africa, secure $10 billion in exports and offer $5 billion in development financing to the continent by 2030.

The event, “Justice for Africans and People of African Descent Through Reparations,” was attended by more than 400 guests, including Saudi officials, diplomats, businesspeople and society members.

The dean of the Diplomatic Corps and Djibouti’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Dya-Eddine Said Bamakhrama, highlighted the day’s symbolic and political importance, calling it a reminder to pursue an Africa based on dignity, fairness, and justice.

Guests at exhibition of the Africa Day 2025 held under theme: Justice for Africans and People of African Descent Through Reparations. (AN photo/Basheer Saleh)

“It is a day for remembrance, unity, and collective responsibility. We honor our ancestors, recognize our leaders’ vision, and reaffirm our commitment to an African future founded on dignity, equity, and justice,” he said.

He stressed the need for African states to raise their voices in international forums, strengthen pan-African cooperation, and promote youth, indigenous knowledge and cultural identities.

Bamakhrama added: “On its path to development, Africa does not walk alone and relies on the solidarity of its partners, especially Saudi Arabia. We welcome the resolutions adopted by the Saudi Arabia-Africa summit held in Riyadh in 2023, which marked a significant step in strengthening the strategic partnership.

A guest at exhibition of the Africa Day 2025 held under theme: Justice for Africans and People of African Descent Through Reparations. (AN photo/Basheer Saleh)

“The Saudi Vision 2030 offers new opportunities to build lasting bridges between our people. Together we can transform this cooperation into a lasting alliance.”

The head of the African Diplomatic Corps and Cameroon’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Iya Tidjani, paid tribute to the vision of the founding fathers of Pan-Africanism, who saw African unity as essential for the continent’s development and global standing.

“Sixty-two years ago, when Africa still bore the scars of slavery, colonization, apartheid and discrimination, African heads of state laid the foundations for the Organization of African Unity’s charter, marking a turning point in the quest for independence. Their successors, supported by the African Union, remain committed,” he said.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed Al-Khuraiji (center) with Dean of the Diplomatic Corps and ambassador of Djibouti Dya-Eddine Said Bamakhrama & Dean of the Group of African Ambassadors Iya Tidjani. (AN photo/Basheer Saleh)

“Africa Day, formerly African Freedom Day and later African Liberation Day, originates from the collective resistance of the African people. The 2025 commemoration under the theme of justice for Africans continues this legacy.”

He urged younger generations to draw inspiration from the legacy and work toward the African Union’s Agenda 2063 goals of inclusive and sustainable economic growth across the continent.

On the sidelines of the reception, Africa’s cultural diversity was highlighted by a handicraft exhibition representing various countries.

Through the celebration, the African Diplomatic Corps aimed to convey solidarity, unity and determination to the international community while calling for dialogue, historical recognition and concrete action for justice for Africans and people of African descent.


Saudi Arabia concludes camelids year presidency

Saudi Arabia concludes camelids year presidency
Updated 02 July 2025
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Saudi Arabia concludes camelids year presidency

Saudi Arabia concludes camelids year presidency
  • Kingdom invests more than $267m to raise awareness of camelids’ role in food security, heritage, sustainability
  • Fahd bin Falah bin Hathleen: Camels are considered a symbol of cultural identity and supporters of rural communities’ sustainability and livelihoods

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has concluded its presidency of the International Year of Camelids, an initiative launched by the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization to highlight the cultural, social and economic importance of the camel and related species.

The Kingdom used the occasion to raise global awareness and promote research and development related to camelids, the Saudi Press Agency reported. 

The initiative began under Saudi Arabia’s leadership in June last year, in partnership with a coalition of Latin American and Caribbean countries led by Bolivia.

The Food and Agriculture Organization hosted a closing ceremony at its headquarters in Rome, attended by Prince Fahd bin Jalawi, president of World Camelids Sports, with officials, diplomats, and international representatives. 

The event recognized camelids’ role in food security, sports, economic development, and cultural heritage, the SPA reported. 

The observance highlighted camelids’ environmental, economic, and social value, and aimed to support pastoralist communities globally.

The International Camel Organization also participated in the ceremony. The organization played an active role throughout the year in promoting awareness and support for the camel sector.

Fahd bin Falah bin Hathleen, the organization’s chairman, said: “Our involvement in the International Year of Camelids has been rooted in our mission to elevate the camel sector on the global stage. 

“Camels are considered a symbol of cultural identity and supporters of rural communities’ sustainability and livelihoods. 

“We remain committed to supporting their role across all scientific, cultural, sport, economic, and welfare sectors.” 

At the ceremony, Ali Alshaikhi, assistant undersecretary for fisheries and livestock wealth at the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, reaffirmed the Kingdom’s commitment to recognizing the value of camels.

He said they are a key food source, economic asset, and cultural symbol deserving of greater global attention and investment.

He outlined Saudi Arabia’s efforts during its presidency, including holding more than 50 local and international events, providing 15 research grants, and organizing 18 strategic meetings. 

The Kingdom also organized 20 international exhibitions, starting at the Food and Agriculture Organization in Rome and the UN in Geneva, to raise awareness of camels’ vital role in various communities, he added. 

Alshaikhi said the initiative strengthened global appreciation for camels and supported their role in food security and economic growth. He added that Saudi Arabia invested more than SR1 billion ($267 million) in related efforts. 

He highlighted the Kingdom’s broader leadership in agriculture and food security, driven by a strategic vision focused on sustainability, innovation, resilient food systems, self-sufficiency, and modern technologies.


Saudi Arabia completes departure of Iranian pilgrims

Saudi Arabia completes departure of Iranian pilgrims
Updated 02 July 2025
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Saudi Arabia completes departure of Iranian pilgrims

Saudi Arabia completes departure of Iranian pilgrims

RIYADH: The Ministry of Interior has completed departure procedures for Iranian Hajj pilgrims leaving through the Jadidat Arar border crossing in the Northern Borders region.

This was done following directives from King Salman and based on a recommendation from Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday. 

The aim was to support Iran’s pilgrims amid the current circumstances in their country and provide necessary services until they can safely return home after completing Hajj. 

The ministry, through its sectors and affiliated entities, deployed all human and technical resources to facilitate the pilgrims’ movement, the SPA reported. 

It coordinated with relevant authorities to ensure smooth and organized transport to the border within an integrated service and security framework.

Alireza Bayat, head of the Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization in Iran, recently praised Saudi Arabia for assisting the pilgrims, noting the quality organization and services at border crossings and other locations. 

He said Iran’s pilgrims were satisfied with the support they had received and for the excellent organization of the Hajj.


Saliha Al-Shahrani, the fashion designer inspired by the landscapes of southern Arabia

Saliha Al-Shahrani, the fashion designer inspired by the landscapes of southern Arabia
Updated 02 July 2025
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Saliha Al-Shahrani, the fashion designer inspired by the landscapes of southern Arabia

Saliha Al-Shahrani, the fashion designer inspired by the landscapes of southern Arabia
  • Natural landmarks, including the mountains of Asir, inspire fresh take on traditional wear
  • Designer hopes to open boutique abroad to share Saudi culture with the world

Makkah: Saudi designer Saliha Al-Shahrani is powerful force in the Kingdom’s fashion world who uses her work to reimagine the rich culture of the country’s south.

Hailing from the mountainous region of Asir, she has forged a unique creative path drawing on local traditions.

Al-Shahrani spoke to Arab News about how her connection to southern Arabia is a natural extension of her identity.

The designer’s deep-rooted bond with Asir led her to reimagine traditional clothing, creating designs that appeal to a wide audience while authentically representing her homeland.

“I merge modernity with authenticity through the use of colors and materials, without ever compromising the spirit of southern attire,” she said.

A cornerstone of her collections is the Asiri dress — known as “al-Muzanad or Al-Mujanab” — a signature piece worn during national celebrations, including Founding Day.

Al-Shahrani particularly enjoys working with velvet, although she uses a range of materials to represent the different climates of Asir.

She said that her designs are inspired by natural landmarks such as Mount Dhirah (the Green Mountain), Jabal Al-Janoub in Asir, and the Sarawat Mountains in Abha.

The designer highlighted her well-known design, Dhirah, inspired by the mountain, which has become a signature piece in her collection.

She said that her participation in international exhibitions has brought positive feedback, with designs garnering widespread acclaim and being embraced by a diverse global audience.

This experience reaffirmed her belief that Saudi heritage has immense artistic value, especially when reimagined with a contemporary perspective and presented with professional finesse.

Al-Shahrani praised Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 for removing many obstacles, particularly by empowering women, and highlighted the need for continued support of international exhibitions that promote Saudi cultural identity on a global scale.

In a message to aspiring designers, she urged them to break free from convention, move beyond imitation, and carve their own creative paths, adding that success on a global scale begins with thoughtfully crafted local excellence.

Al-Shahrani’s ambition is to launch a boutique in one of the world’s leading fashion capitals, where she can present the heritage of southern Saudi Arabia to a wider audience.