Latest news with #Sehhaty
Saudi Gazette
15-07-2025
- Health
- Saudi Gazette
Shoura council urges culture ministry to expand music and cinema programs, calls for arts school independence
Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — The Shoura Council on Monday called on the Ministry of Culture to broaden its academic programs in music, cinema, theater, and performing arts, while also working toward full financial and administrative independence for its cultural commissions to ensure their sustainability and effectiveness. During its 39th regular session, the council urged the ministry's Museums Commission to upgrade exhibits at the National Museum to reflect recent archaeological discoveries, and called for an annual publishing plan for Saudi literary works. It also encouraged coordination with the Ministry of Education to revive school theater programs and stimulate domestic theatrical activity. The council issued several other recommendations across government sectors. It asked the National Center for Mental Health Promotion to establish a unified national framework to accredit public and private mental health providers and monitor psychological consultation apps, and to support school health awareness efforts in partnership with the Ministry of Health. Regarding the National Institute for Educational Professional Development, the council proposed recognizing teacher preparation programs in employment standards and called for the formation of professional learning communities in also pressed the General Authority for Competition to implement preemptive deterrents against anti-competitive practices and urged faster integration with the government's 'Etimad' it called on the General Authority for Statistics to enhance the release of economic and development data and coordinate to boost Saudi talent placement in global council advocated for attracting and localizing Saudi capital abroad to align with domestic investment opportunities, and advised resolving overlapping jurisdictions to improve the investment climate ahead of Expo sports, the council asked the Sports Boulevard Foundation to comply with Cabinet reporting guidelines and improve services at its also reviewed the Ministry of Health's annual report, recommending equal healthcare access, better availability of essential medicines, and direct user feedback through the 'Sehhaty' emphasized improving capabilities at specialty hospitals in remote areas and incentivizing skilled also proposed new regulatory frameworks for healthcare practitioners creating media content and stricter oversight of health content on social suggestions included enabling remote consultations with central hospitals, and developing medical wellness resorts to utilize Saudi Arabia's natural assets for sustainable economic and healthcare education and investment, the council called on the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources to evolve regional incentive frameworks and align with local sectoral also urged the Ministry of Sports to fast-track club privatization, expand school and university sports, and foster talent pipelines tied to professional stressed the need for greater private investment in sports, enhanced sports medicine, and a professional media ecosystem to support Saudi Arabia's global sporting called for a youth-focused strategy for community and competitive sports, and for nurturing talent across all age categories to elevate Saudi athletes on the global stage.
Asharq Al-Awsat
04-06-2025
- Health
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Saudi Arabia Expands Digital Health System for Hajj Pilgrims
Saudi Arabia's Health Ministry said it has stepped up efforts this year to expand digital health services as part of a broader strategy to harness advanced technology and ensure safe and efficient medical care for pilgrims during the Hajj. The ministry said preparations included strengthening digital infrastructure and deploying smart solutions to improve timely access to healthcare, aiming to deliver a safe and healthy pilgrimage for all. Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, Assistant Deputy Minister for Planning at the Ministry of Health, Eng. Yazeed Alotaibi highlighted a range of advanced digital solutions the ministry has developed, including the implementation of the 'Electronic Health Record' system across all medical facilities in the holy sites. The system allows for seamless, real-time connectivity between healthcare centers, speeding up diagnosis and patient transfers while enhancing medical response readiness in coordination with the command and control center. Alotaibi added that services on the 'Sehhaty' app have been upgraded to offer around-the-clock virtual medical consultations, alongside the 937 unified call center. He said virtual clinics have also been activated in partnership with the virtual health hospital, enabling patients to receive specialized care remotely without the need to travel, easing pressure on field facilities and improving pilgrims' access to medical services at any time. AI integration On the use of emerging technologies, Alotaibi said the Health Ministry has 'extensively integrated artificial intelligence tools into its digital systems.' These tools are being used to analyze medical conversations and convert them into digital records, while also suggesting accurate diagnoses, boosting the speed and quality of clinical decision-making. AI is also employed to interpret medical images and identify critical cases that require urgent intervention. Moreover, Saudi Arabia's Health Ministry has rolled out a series of cutting-edge technologies to strengthen medical services for pilgrims during this year's Hajj, including the use of drones, artificial intelligence, and cloud infrastructure. Alotaibi said the ministry is deploying drone technology to deliver medicines and medical supplies swiftly to high-traffic areas, calling it 'a fast and efficient solution' to meet urgent healthcare demands. Cloud infrastructure has also been activated in health data centers to boost system efficiency and accelerate data sharing among relevant authorities, he added. Digital health passport Among other innovations, Alotaibi said the ministry has launched a 'Digital Health Passport' in collaboration with Malaysia, Oman, and Indonesia. The initiative allows early access to pilgrims' health status, allowing personalized care and streamlining medical procedures when needed. On Monday, Health Minister Fahad Al-Jalajel inaugurated two key initiatives to support medical supply delivery using helicopters and drones. These systems are designed to cut delivery times for medicines in high-density zones across the holy sites from 90 to just 6 minutes, enhancing emergency response capabilities. Fahad Al-Buthi, CEO of supply chain and operations at NUPCO, a Saudi healthcare logistics company, told Asharq Al-Awsat that the drone program was launched in coordination with national authorities. He said pilot tests showed the drone system could slash delivery time from 90 minutes to just six, a move expected to significantly improve access to critical supplies during peak Hajj periods.
Trade Arabia
26-05-2025
- Health
- Trade Arabia
Ten steps for a healthy Hajj pilgrimage
Hajj is one of the world's largest and most spiritually profound gatherings, drawing millions of pilgrims from across the globe. With such vast numbers in close proximity, it is essential for pilgrims to prioritise their health and safety to fully engage in the spiritual purpose of the journey. The Saudi Ministry of Health provides a comprehensive range of services to safeguard the well-being of every pilgrim. It also works closely with the World Health Organization and other international partners to uphold global health standards and best practices. To help pilgrims make the most of this sacred time, the ministry has outlined 10 important steps for maintaining good health throughout Hajj. 1. Ensure your vaccines are up to date: The Ministry of Health recommends that all pilgrims ensure they are vaccinated before undertaking Hajj. Required vaccines include meningitis, influenza, and Covid-19 to help minimise the risk of spreading infectious diseases. Pilgrims are encouraged to register on the Sehhaty platform, a digital health app that verifies vaccination status and facilitates entry into Saudi Arabia. 2. Pack personal products to stay healthy: It's important for pilgrims to pack a personal bag with essentials, given the long walks and crowded areas. Personal hygiene products, a prayer mat, rosary, hand sanitizer, sunscreen, an umbrella, and basic toiletries such as a toothbrush and towel are vital for both comfort and spiritual focus. 3. Visit a doctor before Hajj: It's important to review your health status with a physician to check whether you're physically prepared for the demands of Hajj and manage any existing health conditions. 4. Take advantage of wearable tech and digital health services: Monitor and manage your health during Hajj through the Sehhaty and Tawakkalna apps, which offer health services, appointment booking, and real-time alerts. Wearable health trackers are provided to high-risk pilgrims for monitoring vital signs in real time for early detection and treatment. 5. Stay hydrated and protect yourself against the sun: Avoid direct sun exposure, stay in shaded areas, use sunscreen, and carry an umbrella. Staying well-hydrated by drinking plenty of water and fluids is essential. Smart crowd-control systems are in place in Makkah to ease congestion and reduce the risk of incidents such as heatstroke or stampedes. Shaded walkways, water misting systems, and access to drinking water are available throughout the route. In addition, mobile clinics and medical teams are strategically stationed to provide rapid assistance for heat-related conditions. 6. Practice sanitation: Keeping your hands clean is one of the simplest and most effective ways to stay healthy. Pilgrims are encouraged to wash or sanitise their hands regularly. To support hygiene, common areas in Makkah are continuously sanitised and air-conditioned tents provide a cleaner, more comfortable environment. Additionally, waste is carefully managed by authorities to help prevent the spread of disease. 7. Eat healthy: To stay healthy and avoid illness or fatigue during Hajj, it is important to eat simple and nutritious foods such as whole grain bread, fruits, milk, or yogurt to receive essential nutrients. Staying hydrated by drinking plenty of water and natural juices is also key. It is best to limit salty foods and energy-boosting drinks like coffee, which can contribute to dehydration and high blood pressure. 8. Be mindful of food safety guidelines: To prevent gastrointestinal infections, pilgrims should check expiration dates and avoid uncovered or poorly stored food. The Saudi Food and Drug Authority ensures the safety of food and medical products during Hajj by inspecting entries at air, land, and seaports, and monitoring facilities in Makkah, Madinah, and seasonal healthcare centers in coordination with the Ministry of Health. 9. Consider using face masks to avoid respiratory infections: In crowded areas, it's advisable to wear masks to protect against respiratory infections. The emergency hospital at the Grand Mosque is well-equipped with intensive care units, medical laboratories, radiology services, an in-house pharmacy, and isolation units for infectious diseases. 10. Inform authorities of illness: If you experience signs of infection or a skin rash, it's important to keep your distance from others and immediately inform the relevant authorities. To strengthen emergency medical response during the Hajj season, the Saudi Red Crescent Authority has set up two helipads at the Grand Mosque. These helipads facilitate rapid medical evacuations, enabling critical cases to be swiftly transferred to specialized hospitals within minutes.
Zawya
18-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Saudi: TGA mandates national address for all parcel shipments by January 2026
RIYADH — The General Transport Authority (TGA) has revealed that it is mandatory for all parcel delivery companies to include the national address on all mail shipments, effective from January 1, 2026. This decision is part of the TGA's ongoing efforts to enhance the efficiency of the parcel delivery sector and improve service delivery for beneficiaries. This strategic directive aims to optimize the customer experience, expedite delivery processes, and minimize unnecessary interactions between delivery personnel and recipients. Implementing the national address requirement is expected to achieve higher accuracy and operational efficiency within parcel delivery companies. The TGA clarified that individuals can access their national address easily through four digital platforms: Absher, Tawakkalna, Sehhaty, and SPL. This initiative aligns with the TGA's commitment to supporting the objectives of the National Transport and Logistics Strategy and its goal of developing the parcel transportation sector, fostering sustainability, and solidifying the Kingdom's position as a leading global logistics hub. The TGA reported that during Ramadan, the volume of postal shipments handled by licensed companies exceeded 26 million, representing an 18 percent growth rate compared to the same period in the previous year. This data underscores the rapid advancements of the Kingdom's parcel delivery sector. © Copyright 2022 The Saudi Gazette. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Saudi Gazette
17-04-2025
- Business
- Saudi Gazette
TGA mandates national address for all parcel shipments from January 2026
Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — The General Transport Authority (TGA) has revealed that it is mandatory for all parcel delivery companies to include the national address on all mail shipments, effective from January 1, 2026. This decision is part of the TGA's ongoing efforts to enhance the efficiency of the parcel delivery sector and improve service delivery for beneficiaries. This strategic directive aims to optimize the customer experience, expedite delivery processes, and minimize unnecessary interactions between delivery personnel and recipients. Implementing the national address requirement is expected to achieve higher accuracy and operational efficiency within parcel delivery companies. The TGA clarified that individuals can access their national address easily through four digital platforms: Absher, Tawakkalna, Sehhaty, and SPL. This initiative aligns with the TGA's commitment to supporting the objectives of the National Transport and Logistics Strategy and its goal of developing the parcel transportation sector, fostering sustainability, and solidifying the Kingdom's position as a leading global logistics hub. The TGA reported that during Ramadan, the volume of postal shipments handled by licensed companies exceeded 26 million, representing an 18 percent growth rate compared to the same period in the previous year. This data underscores the rapid advancements of the Kingdom's parcel delivery sector.
