Latest news with #Seha
Al-Ahram Weekly
4 days ago
- Sport
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Ahly sign Arab Contractors goalkeeper Mohamed Seha - Egyptian Football
Ahly announced on Monday signing Arab Contractors goalkeeper Mohamed Seha on a five-year contract starting from next season. The 24-year-old Seha would be a replacement for Ahly's goalkeeper Hamza Alaa after departing the club this summer. 'It is a different feeling as Ahly is the biggest club in Africa and I hope to prove myself here,' Seha said in a video posted on Ahly's official website. 'I felt a warm reception here from everyone. I received many offers but I didn't hesitate to accept Ahly offer. It was my dream since I was a child to be Ahly player,' he added. Seha became Ahly's third summer signing as the club had already signed winger Mahmoud Trezeguet from Qatar's Al-Rayyan and defensive midfielder Hamdy Fathy from Qatar's Al-Wakrah. Seha, who was a member of Egypt's U-23 squad at the Paris Olympics last year, spent last season playing on loan for the league Haras El-Hodoud, making 14 league appearances. Ahly recently ended the season on a high note, winning their 45th Egyptian Premier League title. The team is currently preparing for the anticipated FIFA Club World Cup that will kick off on 15 June. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.) Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Arab News
06-04-2025
- Health
- Arab News
Reimagining health in Saudi Arabia to inspire the world
As minister of health, I have been immensely proud to witness Saudi Arabia's health transformation that began just under a decade ago. The visionary reforms introduced by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman are not only accelerating national well-being but are establishing the Kingdom as a global leader of health innovation, collaboration and value-based care. As we mark World Health Day, I want to take the opportunity to acknowledge this progress and the countless health heroes who have made it possible. The theme of this year's World Health Day is 'Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures,' but you could also say that Vision 2030 was the catalyst that turned a hopeful beginning into a healthier future. What was once a vision is being made a reality. Seha Virtual Hospital is an example of this transformation, becoming the world's largest virtual hospital. Recognized by Guinness World Records, Seha connects 224 hospitals and offers 44 specialized services across the Kingdom. It is an innovation that has revolutionized access to healthcare, particularly for those in remote areas, ensuring that every citizen, regardless of location, has access to top-tier medical care. What began as an ambitious project has become an indispensable part of Saudi Arabia's healthcare landscape and a blueprint for others. As powerful as technological innovations are, perhaps even more significant is our fundamental shift from reactive treatment to proactive prevention. Expanded screening programs identify risk factors before they develop into costly diseases. Costly not only in financial terms but also in terms of longevity and quality of life. School-based initiatives teach children lifelong protective habits, while community health workers bring prevention strategies directly to remote regions. For every riyal invested in prevention, we can save approximately four in treatment costs — but the human impact far outweighs the economic benefit. We are investing heavily in health education programs, recognizing that an informed population is the foundation of a healthy society. We are equipping people with the knowledge and tools to take charge of their health and well-being. Fahad Abdulrahman AlJalajel From community-based workshops to interactive, artificial intelligence-augmented apps that can predict health issues before they arise, we are equipping people with the knowledge and tools to take charge of their health and well-being. We are expanding proactive well-being beyond the walls of a hospital and putting it into the palm of your hand. The adaptability of virtual models of care — and the success of these strategies, which have unlocked more than 50 million consultations in Saudi Arabia — points to their potential global impact. Initiatives such as the G20 Global Innovation Hub for Improving Value in Health are supporting the global shift toward collaborative, value-based care. Headquartered in Riyadh, the hub, now expanding beyond the G20, works to ensure people-focused health reforms not only improve patient outcomes in the Kingdom, but enhance the efficiency and sustainability of health systems globally. Collaboration is central to our mission to reimagine health for the future. Collaboration across government, within the sector, between sectors and beyond borders, underscoring Saudi Arabia's role as a global bridge for health innovation. And our efforts are bearing fruit, including increasing longevity and life expectancy. For instance, Tabuk recently joined a growing list of 15 Saudi locations to earn recognition as a 'Healthy City' from the World Health Organization. Alongside the likes of Jeddah, Madinah and Taif, Tabuk's success reflects Saudi Arabia's dedication to improving urban health through parks, walking areas and health-focused community programs. These are examples of the Kingdom's leadership not only in innovating healthcare systems but in weaving well-being into the fabric of our cities; creating models of health sustainability, where smart urban planning, preventive healthcare and community engagement go hand in hand. Saudi Arabia's rising global health leadership embodies this commitment to innovation, collaboration and outcomes. I was pleased to see this on full display at the Global Health Exhibition in Riyadh last October — the largest ever — which brought together the world's health leaders and innovators and witnessed announcements worth SR50 billion ($13 billion). Or at the Ministerial Meeting on Antimicrobial Resistance in Jeddah, which culminated in the adoption of the 'Jeddah Commitments,' a global framework that translates political declarations into concrete multilateral action. As we mark World Health Day, I am proud that Saudi Arabia is shaping a future where world-class health services are accessible, universal and sustainable. And in the years to come, it will continue to lead the way, ensuring that healthy beginnings become hopeful futures for our citizens and people worldwide.
Arab News
17-03-2025
- Health
- Arab News
Prophet's Mosque's AI-driven medical capsules enhance healthcare
RIYADH: The Madinah Health Cluster has launched two smart medical capsules in the northern central area of the Prophet's Mosque to enhance healthcare for visitors and pilgrims, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday. The 'Tabah and Tibabah' capsules use advanced technologies and artificial intelligence to detect chronic diseases, conduct rapid tests, measure vital signs, and perform electrocardiograms. They are linked to the Seha Virtual Hospital for specialized support, according to the SPA. The capsules expand healthcare services, complementing existing facilities including the Al-Salam Endowment and Al-Haram hospitals. The capsules are operated during peak times by trained medical workers and serve over 576 patients daily. They reflect the collaboration between the government and private sector. Meanwhile, the Saudi Red Crescent Authority teams in Madinah transferred an emergency cardiac patient for treatment through their Cardiac Attacks pathway in 56 seconds. Dr. Ahmed bin Ali Al-Zahrani, director of the authority's regional branch, explained that the Medical Transfer Center received a call via the 997 hotline about a patient in his 60s experiencing severe chest pain at the Prophet's Mosque. An advanced care team that was dispatched performed an electrocardiogram and diagnosed an acute heart attack. This was communicated to the on-duty physician, who activated the Cardiac Attack pathway protocol. The patient was transported to the Hayat National Hospital's cardiac catheterization lab via a special route, where the medical team was ready for immediate intervention. Al-Zahrani said the rapid response and coordination by the emergency teams helped prevent complications and led to a successful outcome for the patient.
Khaleej Times
13-03-2025
- General
- Khaleej Times
UAE: How volunteers 'rescued' food, stopped wastage while packing iftar boxes for 5,000 low-income families
The floor of the Emirates Foundation premises at Al Qana was transformed into a bustling produce market on Thursday as dozens of volunteers, employees, managers, and even a young child, joined forces to pack over 700 boxes of rescued food destined for low-income families across the city. Piled high with fresh tomatoes, zucchini, lettuce, dates, cheese, and other food items, the boxes contained surplus produce that is perfectly safe to consume but cannot be sold or served due to minor imperfections that make them less presentable. The Family Iftar Box Programme, led by ne'ma, the UAE's National Food Loss and Waste Initiative, is part of its expanding Food Rescue Programme, which works to ensure surplus food is safely redistributed rather than wasted. The initiative engages stakeholders across the food value system — including the hospitality sector, food producers and distributors — to divert food and deliver it to those in need. The campaign, in partnership with Takatof, takes surplus food from distributors, retailers, and farmers, channeling it to low-income beneficiaries in Abu Dhabi, Al Dhafra, Al Ain, and Sharjah. Each box contains fresh produce, staple grains, protein sources, and essential pantry items. The Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation has supported the programme in identifying priority communities, while Hotpack Global has provided operational support. Keen not to miss any item, volunteers coordinated across long rows of packing tables. At one point, Hazza Al Tamimi, manager of family-friendly programmes at Abu Dhabi's Early Childhood Authority, and his team had to re-open 10 boxes after realising they had forgotten to include zucchini and cherry tomatoes. 'We carried them for a distance, and even the minister (Alia Al Mazrouei) was carrying with us,' he said with a laugh. 'As soon as we arrived at the packing area, they reminded us about the zucchini, and then we realised we hadn't packed any cherry tomatoes either.' 'When we received the email about this initiative, it was the perfect job,' added Al Tamimi. 'We participated last year in Bani Yas, and it's great to see how much the operations have evolved. It was very simple before, but now you see major food outlets contributing entire boxes.' He added, 'One valuable lesson I've learned today: Tomatoes should never be placed at the bottom of the pile because they can easily be damaged — and damage everything around them.' At another table, Pure Health managers and directors carefully sealed handfuls of dates from Barakah Dates boxes into nylon bags. 'I learned new things today about the right way to pack surplus food and which items can and cannot be mixed together,' said Dr Shaikha Al Meqbaali, Homecare Service Manager at Seha clinics. 'I thought it would be tiring while fasting, but it turned out to be quite the opposite,' said Omar Al Akbari, head of HR at Seha, volunteering for the first time. 'In most households, surplus food is packed and given away to avoid wastage, so this is already part of our culture." 'At our home, we pack untouched food in boxes and drive around the neighbourhood to distribute it to workers after Taraweeh prayers, so they can eat it for suhoor.' Seven-year-old Zayed Al Shehhi enthusiastically rolled a trolley carrying empty boxes across the packing area and helped place the boxes on the table. His father Saeed was invited by his workplace, ADAFSA, to the initiative. 'I thought it was a good way to encourage my son to do volunteer work,' he explained. Ne'ma's campaign has also welcomed international participants. Julie Hansen, a tourist visiting from England, said: 'It's nice to do something small for somebody else every day, and I'm happy to be able to pitch in during my visit to the UAE. Abu Dhabi is wonderful, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to give back during my time here.' Miriam Ahmed, another volunteer, added: 'Volunteering, especially during the holy month of Ramadan, is very meaningful. It's important for me to show my children the true essence of the holy month. Even though they couldn't be here today, they are aware of what I'm doing, and I hope to teach them the value of kindness and community.' 'This initiative embodies the true essence of Ramadan —giving back, reducing waste, and coming together as a community. What stands out this year is the incredible participation, not just from individuals but entire families working side by side,' Mohamed Al Hosani, director of programmes at Emirates Foundation, said. 'With nearly 400 volunteers mobilised across the UAE, we are ensuring that untouched, high-quality surplus food is repurposed rather than wasted. By strengthening partnerships and expanding our reach, we are seeing a real shift in mindset—one where food is valued, and responsibility is shared.' The packing event at Al Qana was one of several taking place across the country this Ramadan under ne'ma's 'Valuing Our Roots' campaign, which reinforces the importance of responsible consumption, sustainability, and community-driven action. On Thursday in Abu Dhabi, 100 volunteers, including Takatof members, corporate partners and members of the public, worked side by side to fill the boxes with fresh produce and pantry staples. Staff from major organisations including Miral, Pure Health, Seha, and the Early Childhood Authority (ECA), joined the effort, swiftly assembling the packages. During the initiative's mission in Bani Yas on Wednesday night, another 700 boxes were packed and delivered, in addition to between 600 to 700 boxes distributed in Sharjah earlier that day, Khuloud Al Nuwais, Chief Sustainability Officer of Emirates Foundation and Secretary General of ne'ma's Committee, said. 'In total, the programme across its five locations will benefit 5,000 low-income families,' she said. Al Nuwais explained that while Emirates Foundation handles delivery of the boxes to families on record, in some areas, the families themselves collected their packages. 'In Al Falah and Bani Yas, for example, families collected the boxes themselves,' she said. 'At Al Moatasem School in Bani Yas, many parents who were picking up their children also picked up the boxes. And because we held the event at the same place last year, many families were already aware of it and came directly to collect their boxes.' This year's Ramadan campaign has seen ne'ma partner with numerous companies and non-profit organisations as part of its national food rescue programme. 'Ramadan is a time of generosity and reflection, and it's a great opportunity to strengthen community connections while working hand in hand with our partners to redistribute surplus produce to low-income families,' Al Nuwais said. 'We're making progress toward achieving the UAE's goal of reducing food waste by 50 per cent by 2030.' The broader Food Rescue Programme also includes the One Million Surplus Meals Initiative, in collaboration with the UAE Food Bank, which collects untouched surplus food from restaurants and hotels to ensure quality meals reach those in need. Additionally, Ne'ma's Community Fridges Initiative has placed 10 smart fridges at construction sites and back-of-house locations with high staff traffic in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. These fridges are stocked with surplus cooked meals, donated by 35 hotel and hospitality partners and packed according to health and safety regulations. 'Last year, 16 hotels participated in the initiative, providing 11,581 meals through the community fridges,' Al Nuwais noted. 'This Ramadan, we expect to serve even more.'
Al Arabiya
07-02-2025
- Health
- Al Arabiya
Future of healthcare: Replacing brick-and-mortar with digital solutions
Healthcare is undergoing a seismic transformation. The old paradigm of brick-and-mortar hospitals is giving way to a new reality powered by digital technology. As the world faces mounting healthcare inequalities, aging populations often living for many years with multiple long-term conditions, and the lingering effects of global health crises, the need for accessible, scalable, and patient-centered solutions designed in collaboration with users has never been more urgent. For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app. The digital health revolution has accelerated post-pandemic, fueled by emerging technologies like telemedicine, AI-driven diagnostics, and increasing demand from users who live tech-enabled lifestyles. At the World Economic Forum, Saudi Arabia showcased how economic investment and global collaboration are driving this transformation, with platforms like the Seha Virtual Hospital setting new standards. At the heart of this digital transformation is the growing role of virtual healthcare in our everyday lives – a model that not only expands access but redefines how care is delivered. As an indicator of success, global telemedicine revenues are expected to exceed $35.8 billion by 2028, illustrating the demand for integrative digital healthcare solutions. Telemedicine is just one aspect of this new healthcare system, and with the inclusion of AI and other cutting-edge diagnostic and treatment technologies, digital health is set to replace the old way. Guided by its Vision 2030 roadmap for national development that places innovation at its core, Saudi Arabia has embraced this shift. In 2023, the Ministry of Health launched Seha Virtual Hospital, the world's largest virtual care hub, and the Sehhaty app, a digital health platform connecting millions and enabling scheduling, personalized health tracking, and telemedicine. The Seha Virtual Hospital now supports over 200 hospitals, 30 specialized health services, 81 sub-specialized services, and has the capacity to serve more than 480,000 patients annually. These innovations are not just improving lives within the Kingdom but offer a global blueprint for tackling healthcare challenges. The shift to digital and virtual healthcare solutions represents significant advancements on their own. However, by integrating artificial intelligence (AI), further benefits can be realized for how we deliver care. For example, AI-powered diagnostic tools, including brain CT scan algorithms for stroke detection, are deployed across 70 hospitals. These tools have processed over 76,000 cases, significantly improving diagnostic precision, reducing time to treatment, increasing its effectiveness, and subsequently the long-term health outcomes for patients. Another example is the Saudi Genome project 2.0, which integrates AI to provide personalized care, identify genetic predispositions, and develop targeted interventions. There are countless more applications for AI, but it is already clear to see that we are benefiting from the preventative and timely diagnostics and treatment it has enabled. These solutions are not only effective but scalable. They illustrate how countries can use digital health to address pressing challenges, such as a shortage of healthcare professionals, uneven distribution of facilities, and rising costs. With a projected 15 percent annual increase in users, the Sehhaty app alone underscores the growing demand for tech-driven solutions. One of the most significant benefits of virtual healthcare is its ability to reduce inequalities. Remote consultations eliminate travel barriers, ensuring underserved populations receive care. These efforts, combined with collaborations with institutions like Philips and SDAIA to bring cutting-edge technologies to market, illustrate how partnerships can advance healthcare equality, and with the potential to do so globally. As demand for virtual healthcare increases, so does the importance of robust infrastructure. Internet access is a critical enabler of healthcare equity in a digital world. Globally, 96 percent of the population has data coverage, and in Saudi Arabia, household internet access extends to 99 percent of the population. Ensuring that both health and infrastructure policies are working together to provide the best outcomes for a nation are essential to the future of digital healthcare. Health in All Policies (HiAP), a holistic approach to policymaking in Saudi Arabia, ensures that all aspects of our society prioritize our citizens' health. By ensuring reliable infrastructure through internet access for rural communities, alongside developing virtual health services, Saudi Arabia is bridging the gap in healthcare access and providing equality across its population. Investing in virtual healthcare not only improves patient outcomes, but it also powers economic growth. In 2021, Saudi Arabia allocated $3.9 billion to research and development, with plans to dedicate 2.5 percent of GDP annually to R&D by 2040. The National Biotechnology Strategy that launched in 2024 to localize cutting-edge biotech and reduce drug costs, is projected to contribute $34.6 billion to the non-oil GDP and create 55,000 jobs. Platforms like Nafee, which provides a complete view of a patient's medical profile, and remote monitoring through the Seha Virtual Hospital are brining economic benefits by improving treatment efficacy, reducing hospital readmissions, and cutting costs. By leveraging digital platforms and investing in the broader healthcare ecosystem, Saudi Arabia is enhancing healthcare access while demonstrating the economic impact of digital health – boosting efficiency, reducing costs, and supporting long-term growth. Saudi Arabia's transformation demonstrates how digital healthcare can benefit not just patients but society at large. Through faster diagnostics, enhancing access to underserved communities, and collaboration with the private sector, the Kingdom is setting a precedent for sustainable healthcare reform. This model is the future and has the potential for other nations to replicate and scale, tailored to their unique challenges. The future of healthcare is already here. Saudi Arabia's ongoing work demonstrates that replacing brick-and-mortar with digital solutions is not just a possibility, but a reality and a necessity. By working together to drive forward digital solutions, we can create a world where healthcare is accessible, personalized, and sustainable. Together we can transform lives.
