KFSHRC launches the first palliative care program for adolescents and young adults in the Arab world
Riyadh: Young patients living with serious illnesses often encounter a lack of specialized palliative care tailored to their unique needs, as existing services primarily focus on either pediatric or elderly populations. This gap leaves adolescents and young adults, aged 14 to 40, without comprehensive support that addresses their medical, psychological, and social needs. In response, King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre (KFSHRC) has launched the Adolescent and Young Adult Palliative Care Program, the first dedicated program of its nature in the Arab world, offering integrated care designed to improve the quality of life for this underserved age group throughout their treatment journey.
According to the World Health Organization, only 14% of patients globally who need palliative care actually receive it, underscoring a significant gap in services. Research also indicates that embedding palliative care within the treatment plans of young patients with critical illnesses reduces symptom burden and improves overall quality of life. Cancer patients, in particular, are among those most in need of this care, as many lack sufficient pain management, psychological support, and guidance throughout their experience.
Palliative care offers a holistic approach focused on enhancing the quality of life for patients facing life-limiting illnesses, such as advanced cancers, heart disease, neurological disorders, and organ failure. The care extends beyond pain relief to include psychological and social support, facilitating informed decision-making and improving patients' overall experience.
For adolescents and young adults, these services address additional challenges unique to their age group, such as maintaining education or employment, navigating the psychological impact of illness, and ensuring that care plans uphold their autonomy and personal dignity.
KFSHRC's pioneering program is delivered by a multidisciplinary team of palliative care physicians, specially trained nurses, social workers, and mental health experts, ensuring that physical, psychological, social, and spiritual needs are all addressed for both patients and their families.
In alignment with international best practices, KFSHRC's Advanced Palliative Care Fellowship Program has earned triple accreditation, a first for the Arab world, from the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties, the European Society for Medical Oncology, and the International Association for Hospice & Palliative Care. This accreditation ensures the highest level of clinical competency, equipping the next generation of healthcare professionals to provide evidence-based, culturally sensitive palliative care to adolescents and young adults.
This program not only aims to improve immediate patient care but also seeks to serve as a regional model, encouraging the development of similar programs across the Arab world to close the critical gap in palliative services for young patients with life-threatening illnesses.
It is noteworthy that KFSHRC has been ranked first in the Middle East and North Africa and 15th globally in the list of the world's top 250 Academic Medical Centres for the second consecutive year and has been recognized as the most valuable healthcare brand in the Kingdom and the Middle East, according to the 2025 Brand Finance rankings. Additionally, in the same year, it was ranked among the world's best 250 hospitals and included in the World's Best Smart Hospitals list for 2025 by Newsweek magazine.
For more information, visit www.kfshrc.edu.sa or contact our media team at mediacoverage@kfshrc.edu.sa
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Gulf Today
2 days ago
- Gulf Today
Philippines, a top wellness haven for Mideast travellers
Medical and wellness tourism, anchored on the provision and delivery of holistic approaches against chronic diseases, have improved in the Philippines, according to a Florida-based non-profit research organisation. According to the Philippines' Department of Tourism (DoT), in a consequent email interview, initiatives such as overseas presence of the tropical country as a prime medical and wellness tourism destination shall continue. For the first time, it was in April 2024, when the DoT led a public-private delegation, consisting of hospital-dental-wellness facilities and health tourism facilitator for the 'health sales mission' to the UAE (Abu Dhabi and Dubai) and Saudi Arabia (Riyadh). DoT-Office of Product and Market Development director Dr Paulo Benito Tugbang, physician/nurse/midwife, who used to be responsible for the Department of Health-Medical Travel and Wellness Tourism Programme as well as former Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases member, then said that the purpose was to encourage Middle East travel trade professionals consider the medical and wellness offerings of the Philippines, inasmuch as Filipino healthcare workers have been admired for their dedication and commitment. Again, with the purpose of capturing the Arab Market, known for their 'culture of medical travel,' DoT partnered with the Dubai-based Agora Group management firm for the Philippine participation at the June 2023 '1st International Health and Wellness Tourism Congress in Dusseldorf, Germany. This was followed by the October 2024 Philippine-hosting of the second edition of the international event in Taguig City, Metro Manila. Moreover, DoT signed a five-year deal with Thailand, internationally recognised for its medical tourism portfolio in January 2025, covering the areas of tourism cooperation, exchange of best practices, and human resources development. It participated in the May 2024 International Wellness Tourism Expo in Tokyo, Japan. It also had embarked on other 'strategic activities' in Singapore and Malaysia 'with potential industry partners' so that the Philippines would be in 'the radar of regional and international community.' These, as encapsulated in the National Tourism Development Plan 2022-2028 of the Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Administration, shall be the continuous enhancement of healthcare accessibility, promotion of sustainable tourism practices, and delivery of world-class experiences, for the locals and foreign visitors alike. It was a fortnight back when Gulf Today received a press release concerning 'The Global Wellness Economy: The Philippines.' The assessment revealed that 'the country's wellness market' with 11 sectors responsible for the delivery of products and services for one's health and wellness had expanded 21 per cent from $35.8 billion to $43.3 billion between 2019 and 2023. The press release quoted chairperson and chief executive officer Susie Ellis, of the Global Wellness Institute (GWI), into the awareness and education campaign for the necessary lifestyle changes against non-communicable diseases prevalent worldwide: 'The Philippines has a thriving wellness economy, and we are thrilled that its DoT has continued their partnership with us for this deep dive into the data that really showcase where the growth and potential lies.' 'Blessed with natural wonders, the Philippines is an ideal destination for nature-based wellness and relaxation, and the authentic Filipino wellness offerings mean that the country has something truly unique to share with the world,' Ellis also said. In the country assessment and compared with 217 countries and territories, GWI had quantified, that from 2022 to 2023 alone, six of 11 health and wellness economy sectors in the Philippines posted double digit annual growth rates relative to the global market size served. From 10.2 % in the mental wellness: services, therapies, resources to 61.4 % in wellness tourism: enriching travel for personal well-being. In between were the sectors of public health, prevention and preventive medicine (13.3 %), wellness real estate/health and wellness living spaces (14.0 %), thermal/mineral springs (15.3 %) and spas (19.2 %). Overall, GWI concluded that in terms of health and wellness tourism in 2023, the Philippines ranked eighth among 45 in the Asia-Pacific Region, and 23rd of 218 worldwide: 'The wellness industry is a major contributor to the Philippines' overall economy contributing 9.9 % to the gross domestic product in 2023; 12th worldwide.'
Web Release
3 days ago
- Web Release
Hamdan Foundation Advances to Judging Stage of 2025 Medical Awards After Screening 330 Submissions
Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation for Medical and Educational Sciences has announced the completion of the screening process for the 2025 Medical Awards, which aim to recognize outstanding achievements in healthcare at both the local and regional levels. According to the awards committee, this year's cycle received a total of 330 submissions from 18 countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Egypt, Oman, Iraq, India, Kuwait, the United Kingdom, Qatar, Jordan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Morocco, the United States, Pakistan, Tunisia, Syria, and Ghana. Following an initial review, 261 submissions advanced to the administrative and technical screening stage, which involved verifying compliance with the award's eligibility criteria and guidelines. Of those, 161 applications were confirmed as eligible and are now set to proceed to the judging phase, scheduled to begin on 2 June and continue until 15 October. The judging process will be carried out by specialized committees comprising distinguished experts in the field. Each submission will be assessed according to the specific evaluation criteria established for each award category. Dr. Salama Al Muhairi, Director of Medical Excellence at Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation, emphasized the significance of this stage, noting that the evaluation and screening of submissions adhere to the highest standards to ensure transparency and fairness throughout the process. She added that these efforts reflect the merit and credibility of the Medical Excellence Awards, which seek to spotlight innovations and achievements that contribute to the advancement of medical practices. The awards also aim to encourage and support researchers in producing impactful and innovative studies in medicine and healthcare. The Foundation is committed to sharing the benefits of award-winning work, offering it as a source of inspiration and a model for excellence in scientific and medical fields. These achievements also contribute to the development of new solutions to address growing challenges in the healthcare sector. The Medical Excellence Awards consist of two main categories. The first is dedicated to supporting health and research achievements across the Arab world and includes the Arab Award for Health Sector Research and the Arab Award for Genetic Sciences. The second category focuses on recognizing exceptional contributions within the United Arab Emirates and includes the Best Research in Healthcare Award, the Innovation in Healthcare Award, and the Hamdan Award for Distinguished Personalities. Over previous cycles, the awards have garnered wide recognition and attracted high-quality submissions from both inside and outside the UAE. This success reflects the Foundation's commitment to supporting innovation and fostering a culture of excellence in the healthcare sector, while highlighting major accomplishments in scientific research and healthcare delivery.
Gulf Today
3 days ago
- Gulf Today
Renowned Egyptian actress Samiha Ayoub passes away at 93
The renowned Egyptian actress Samiha Ayoub passed away on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, at the age of 93. Ayoub was one of the giants of Arab theatre, with a distinguished artistic career spanning from 1947 until her passing, encompassing theatre, cinema, and television. No official statement has been issued regarding the cause of her death. However, in early May, rumors circulated suggesting she was battling breast cancer. In a phone interview, Ayoub denied these rumors, stating: 'All these are false reports. I am in good health, and instead of spreading nice rumors, people spread bad ones.' She affirmed that her health was stable and denied any reports of suffering from tumors. Despite several media outlets reporting that she had breast cancer, Ayoub never officially confirmed the diagnosis. In previous remarks, she stated that she was in good health and continued to follow up with her doctor for treatment. She also expressed her eagerness to return to her audience with new and diverse roles. Speculation about her health intensified after she was recently seen with swelling in her hands, reportedly a result of lymphedema—a condition common among breast cancer patients. Lymphedema typically occurs following the removal of lymph nodes, leading to fluid retention and swelling in the affected limb. Ayoub was born on March 8, 1932, in the Shubra district of Cairo. She graduated from the Higher Institute of Dramatic Arts, where she was mentored by the renowned theatre director Zaki Tulaimat. He introduced her to the stage while she was still a student, casting her in the play Khedmet El-Malika (The Queen's Service), which marked the beginning of her artistic journey. Throughout her illustrious career, Ayoub starred in numerous plays, including Siket El-Salama, El-Sebnsa, El-Nadam, Phedra, El-Wazeer El-Aasheq, and El-Soltan El-Haer. She served as the director of the Modern Theatre in 1972 and later managed the National Theatre from 1975, holding the position for 14 years. Her theatrical repertoire included 170 plays, five of which she directed, including Maqalib Atia. Ayoub's legacy remains a cornerstone of Arab theatre and cinema, leaving behind an indelible mark on the artistic world.
