Latest news with #AbdulQayyum
Al Arabiya
08-05-2025
- Health
- Al Arabiya
How Saudi Arabia is building a future-ready healthcare system with help from Roche
Saudi Arabia has rapidly emerged as a regional leader in healthcare innovation, earning international recognition for its effective COVID-19 response, investments in digital health infrastructure, and efforts to advance precision medicine and biotechnology. The Kingdom's bold reforms under Vision 2030 have positioned it at the forefront of medical transformation in the Middle East, with ambitions to make healthcare more preventive, personalized, and data-driven. For more news on Saudi Arabia, visit our dedicated page. Led by the Ministry of Health and the Vision Realization Program known as the Health Sector Transformation Program (HSTP), it aims to create a world-class, patient-centered, and sustainable healthcare system. As part of this transformation, Roche Diagnostics – one of the world's largest biotech companies and leading in-vitro diagnostics laboratory – is intensifying its engagement with Saudi Arabia. In an interview with Al Arabiya English, Abdul Qayyum, General Manager of Roche Diagnostics Saudi Arabia, said that Saudi Arabia has put strong emphasis on creating a ground-breaking healthcare ecosystem. 'Saudi Arabia is undergoing a bold and transformative shift in healthcare as part of Vision 2030, with major investments in innovation, digital health, and future-ready infrastructure,' said Qayyum. 'Diagnostics are central to that transformation.' He added: 'The country has created the right environment: forward-thinking policies, strong leadership, and a national agenda that puts innovation at the core of health outcomes.' Proactive care and local partnerships Roche has also put massive emphasis on shifting healthcare from reactive to proactive – a goal that is greatly aligned with Saudi Arabia's reform plan. 'We're working hand-in-hand with stakeholders in the Kingdom to help shift the healthcare model from reactive to proactive,' he said. 'That means investing in early detection, personalized care, and smart diagnostics.' He stressed that collaboration with local institutions is essential to making that happen. 'We're committed to ensuring patients have access to these breakthroughs as quickly as possible; by working hand in hand with healthcare providers, regulators, and partners across the ecosystem,' he said. 'That includes everything from public-private partnerships to knowledge-sharing initiatives. It's not just about bringing in global tools—it's about working together to tailor those tools to the local context so they truly serve patients here.' According to him, localization is also a core part of the strategy. 'We're also focusing on localization—not just bringing solutions in, but building capability on the ground,' Qayyum said, adding that this includes supporting lab infrastructure and developing local partnerships. Roche's regional strategy is based on four pillars: innovation-driven partnerships, adapting global knowledge for local needs, expanding diagnostic access and sustainability, and applying global implementation experience to streamline diagnostics across Saudi Arabia's health system. 'Partners gain early access to next-generation technologies and transformative tools to improve patient outcomes,' said Qayyum. 'Our approach, backed by global implementations knowledge, ensures seamless consolidation, standardization, and innovation in diagnostics aligned with Saudi Vision 2030.' AI and automation-driven diagnostics According to Qayyum, Roche is using artificial intelligence and digital tools to help clinicians make faster, more accurate decisions. 'Our digital pathology tools are transforming how diseases are diagnosed, especially in complex cases like cancer,' he said. Automation plays a key role in improving efficiency, according to the general manager. 'The more we can streamline lab workflows and reduce turnaround times, the faster patients get answers and start the right treatment,' he noted. This approach is closely aligned with the Kingdom's HSTP, which identifies diagnostics as a foundational element in shifting from reactive to preventive care. The program emphasizes the importance of early detection, personalized medicine, and data-driven decision-making—goals that rely heavily on advanced diagnostic capabilities powered by AI and digital technologies. Improving diagnostics is also key to reducing the burden of non-communicable diseases such as cancer and diabetes, which are a major focus of national health initiatives. Near-patient testing, especially in underserved areas, also plays a major role in improving access to healthcare, he emphasized. 'Near patient care and point of care testing is also a way of ensuring that more patients can access the high-quality testing that underpins accurate healthcare decision-making,' he said. 'Bringing testing closer to where patients live, including remote communities, decentralized diagnostics have the potential to democratize healthcare.' Bringing such innovation to life is only possible through digital tools and integrated systems, he noted – all of which are a major focus of Roche's digital strategy in the Kingdom. The future of diagnostics in Saudi Arabia In the next two or three years, Roche's goals in Saudi Arabia are focused on three key areas: improving access, expanding digital tools, and building local capabilities. 'First, expanding access to high-quality diagnostics across all regions, not just big cities through our near patient care innovations,' he said. 'Second, launching and scaling up our digital and AI-powered solutions to support more personalized, preventative care. And third, strengthening local capabilities—whether that's through partnerships, training, or infrastructure.' This includes early-career programs, capacity-building, and technology training initiatives. Qayyum told Al Arabiya English that he sees the diagnostics sector in Saudi Arabia moving rapidly toward decentralization, near-patient testing, and integrated models of care. 'The Kingdom is clearly moving toward a more data-driven, patient-focused system, and diagnostics sit at the very heart of that,' he said. 'I believe that supporting local talent and bringing top experts to Saudi Arabia are key to unlocking the country's potential,' Qayyum said. 'To build the future of healthcare, we need to invest in people; give them chances to grow, lead, and make a real difference to the whole economy, not just the healthcare sector.'
Express Tribune
27-03-2025
- Express Tribune
WATCH: CCTV shows fatal water tanker crash in Malir Halt
The tragedy happened when the couple was returning home in Malir Cantt after a pre-delivery check-up at Kohi Goth Hospital. Photo: Express Listen to article CCTV footage has revealed the horrifying moment of a water tanker crash at Malir Halt, which resulted in the tragic deaths of a pregnant woman and her husband. The footage shows the tanker speeding uncontrollably and crashing onto a pavement, with the impact propelling the tanker across the road. The crash led to the deaths of Abdul Qayyum and his wife Zainab, along with their unborn child. Abdul Qayyum, a government employee, and his wife had been returning from a medical check-up at Koohi Goth Hospital in Landhi when the accident occurred. A tragic traffic accident at Malir Halt has raised the total number of fatalities in Karachi's traffic accidents this year to 214. In response, a crowd of onlookers, furious at the incident, pelted stones at the tanker, damaging it, and beat the driver before handing him over to the police. The tanker's helper was also arrested, and the vehicle was confiscated. The accident is part of a larger problem, as heavy vehicles have been responsible for 68 fatalities in the past 83 days, including dumper, trailer, and water tanker collisions. The grieving family has called for stricter regulations, such as allowing heavy vehicles to operate only after midnight to prevent accidents. A social media video showed a citizen desperately trying to save the newborn by rushing to the hospital. Statistics from the Chhipa authorities reveal that 214 people have died in traffic accidents this year, with over 2,700 injuries reported. The tragic incident has sparked public anger, with citizens demanding that the government take concrete measures to prevent further deaths from heavy vehicle accidents.
Express Tribune
24-03-2025
- Express Tribune
Truck runs over pregnant woman, husband
The tragedy happened when the couple was returning home in Malir Cantt after a pre-delivery check-up at Kohi Goth Hospital. Photo: Express A young couple, Abdul Qayum and his wife Zainab, were expecting their first child after Eidul Fitr but a driver speeding his water bowser ran over their motorcycle, killing the would-be parents and their unborn child near Malir Halt Flyover in Model Colony. The truck driver dragged the bike under his vehicle killing Qayum on the spot. Zainab, lying in a pool of blood, in her death throes, gave birth to a child, who also died later. Witnesses described the accident as horrifying, with onlookers screaming in shock. A video clip surfaced on social media, showing a passerby attempting to save the newborn's life by rushing it to a hospital. This deadly crash brings the total number of traffic accident fatalities in the city so far this year to 214. Heavy vehicles have claimed 68 lives in 83 days, including 17 from dumper collisions, 24 from trailer collisions, 14 from water tanker collisions, five from Mazda-truck collisions, and eight from bus collisions. Incensed by the heart-rending accident, a crowd of onlookers at the scene vented their anger, pelting stones at the water tanker, breaking its windows and lights. The driver was caught, tortured, and handed over to police, who also apprehended the tanker's helper and confiscated the vehicle. The deceased husband, 28-year-old Abdul Qayyum, and his wife Zainab were residents of Malir Cantt. They had visited Kohi Goth Hospital for a check-up and were returning home when the accident occurred. Abdul Qayyum was an employee of the Cantonment Board Malir. The grieving family appealed to the government to take strict action against reckless tanker drivers. They demanded that tankers and dumpers be allowed to operate only after midnight to prevent such horrific accidents. A video clip making the rounds on social media shows a citizen running towards the hospital, carrying the newborn in an attempt to save the new life. According to statistics released by the Chhipa authorities, 214 people have lost their lives in traffic accidents this year, including 162 men, 23 women, 22 children, and seven girls. A total of 2,783 people were injured in traffic accidents, including 2,292 men, 367 women, 95 children, and 29 girls. The news of the accident sparked widespread grief and anger among the families of the deceased and locals, who demanded practical steps from the government to prevent deadly accidents involving heavy vehicles.
Express Tribune
25-02-2025
- Sport
- Express Tribune
Court releases fan who hugged NZ player
A fan runs towards Rachin Ravindra (L) during the ICC Champions Trophy one-day international (ODI) cricket match between Bangladesh and New Zealand at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on February 24. PHOTO: AFP A local court on Tuesday released a young spectator from police custody after he entered the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium's pitch while crossing security barricades during the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 match between Bangladesh and New Zealand and 'hugged' and 'congratulated' cricketer Tom Latham. The suspect was held at the ground afterwards. Civil Judge Imran Qureshi, during a hearing, ordered the release of Abdul Qayyum. The investigating officer argued that the young man had violated the law by breaching the security barrier and should be sent on judicial remand to Adiala Jail. However, the court dismissed this request, stating that the section applied in the case was bailable. The judge ordered Abdul Qayyum's release on furnishing a surety bond of Rs50,000 and postponed the hearing until March 11, directing the police to submit the charge sheet. The accused defended himself, stating that he was not a criminal and had not violated any law, explaining that such gestures of congratulating players are common at sports grounds worldwide and that he went to praise the player for good performance. Earlier, New Town police registered a case against the spectator on Monday. New Zealand were batting on Monday when the spectator, dressed in shalwar kameez and wearing a p-cap, suddenly jumped into the field from the Yasir Arafat Enclosure. Running without being stopped by any security personnel, he managed to reach the pitch and embraced New Zealand batsman Rachin Ravindra before quickly running back towards the boundary, where two security officials apprehended him. Upon questioning in the side room, the individual was found to have an ID card in the name of Abdul Qayyum, with a registered address in Fateh Jang, Attock. He also had a Rs1,000 ticket for the Meera Bakhsh Enclosure and a poster of a leader from a religious and political party. The spectator had been carrying the poster while running around the stadium. Security officials handed him over to the Rawalpindi Police. New Town Police registered a case under sections 186 and 447 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PC) against the spectator on behalf of the state.
Express Tribune
05-02-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
PECA tweaks challenged
ISLAMABAD/KARACHI: Recent amendments to the law that originally dealt with cybercrimes — the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), 2016 — have been challenged both in the apex court as well as the provincial High Court of Sindh (SHC). A citizen, Abdul Qayyum, has filed a constitutional petition in the Supreme Court, contending that PECA (Amendment) Act, 2025 violates the basic rights of citizens and should therefore be set aside. The petition argues that even parliament cannot pass any law abridging basic rights. Meanwhile, two journalistic organizationsthe Karachi Union of Journalists (KUJ) and the Society of Court Reportershave approached the SHC against the amendments bulldozed through parliament last week amid protest by opposition and journalists. The petition argues that the PECA (Amendment) Act, 2025 grants authorities the power to remove and block content from social media platforms. It states that Section 2(R), Subsection 1(H) of the amended act does not include the words "false" or "fake." The PECA law violates Articles 8, 9, 10-A, 18, 19, and 19-A of the Constitution, while also contradicting Islamic laws, it claims. The petition states that Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) also provides protection to journalists. Pakistan has signed the Cairo Declaration on Human Rights, which safeguards journalists as well. The PECA (Amendment) Act, 2025 is an attempt to censor the truth. Members of the assembly are public representatives, and the public has the right to access information about them.
