Saudi Arabia is witnessing a qualitative leap in the field of human rights
Updated 27 January 2021
Arab News
RIYADH: Swiss Ambassador Dr. Andreas Schaller called on the president of Saudi Arabia’s Human Rights Commission, Awwad Al-Awwad, at his office in Riyadh on Tuesday.
During the meeting, they discussed several issues related to human rights. The Saudi rights chief highlighted the Kingdom’s measures for the protection of human rights.
Saudi Arabia is witnessing a qualitative leap in the field of human rights. The Kingdom’s Vision 2030 program is at the forefront of these reforms intended to focus on humans.
Among over 60 recent decisions made to improve the situation of human rights in the Kingdom, 22 were related to women.
These included issuing such laws as the Protection from Abuse Law and the Anti-Harassment Law, eliminating the guardianship system, allowing women to drive, ensuring greater female participation in the workforce, especially the legal sphere, dedicating a call center for domestic violence issues, establishing the Family Affairs Council (one of whose committees is devoted to women’s affairs) and setting up courts for family cases.
In November 2020, the Kingdom eased the sponsorship system for foreign expat workers, including contract restrictions that gave employers control over the lives of around 10 million migrant workers.
Saudi writer brings massive crowds to Rabat Book Fair
His first novel was rejected by more than 20 publishing houses, so Al-Muslim printed and self-published the title at his own expense
Today, Al-Muslim has published 32 works, ranging from epic series to short stories
Updated 4 sec ago
Tareq Al-Thaqafi
MAKKAH: Saudi author Osamah Al-Muslim’s appearance at the Rabat International Book Fair in Morocco has sparked huge interest from visitors at the event, which runs until May 19.
A book signing event by Al-Muslim drew large crowds, especially among young people and teenagers. The fair’s management was later forced to shorten the signing ceremony to alleviate overcrowding.
The 47-year-old writer, born in Al-Ahsa, spent his childhood in the US before returning to the Kingdom to complete his studies. He graduated from the Department of English Literature at King Faisal University.
“The Rabat International Book Fair is one of the most prestigious exhibitions, and I was pleased to visit it for the first time to meet my dear readers who came from all parts and cities of Morocco,” Al-Muslim told Arab News.
“The attendance was remarkable, but unfortunately, I was not able to meet most of them, which saddened me. However, there is now an intention, with the kind invitation of Moroccan Minister of Youth, Culture and Communication Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid, to hold a series of signing events in many major Moroccan cities to meet as many readers as possible,” he added.
Al-Muslim spoke about his origins as a writer, expressing how difficult it was to get a start in the industry. His first novel was rejected by more than 20 publishing houses, so Al-Muslim printed and self-published the title at his own expense.
“I marketed it myself through a small online store run by a young Saudi. The funny thing is that after the success of the first edition, all the publishing houses that had rejected the novel contacted me to collaborate with them,” he said.
Today, Al-Muslim has published 32 works, ranging from epic series to short stories. More than 15 editions have been translated into English, with work underway to translate the rest of Al-Muslim’s books.
“The first part of ‘Arabistan Orchards’ has been translated into Chinese, with more than 50,000 copies printed, and efforts are ongoing to translate the remaining parts,” he said.
“As for my cultural vision, I believe that old templates are no longer attractive to this generation. Relying on difficult and complex language, and showcasing linguistic and cognitive proficiency as a challenge to the reader is no longer appealing. Today’s readers need an interesting story, woven intelligently and in smooth language,” he added.
Al-Muslim “never paid attention to the critics” because he “knew their backgrounds, orientations and ideas.
“Had I listened to them, I would have stopped from the first day. They want everyone to adopt their views and not deviate from the methods they have set,” Al-Muslim said.
A book signing event by Al-Muslim drew large crowds, especially among young people and teenagers. (Supplied)
“The fantasy I present combines truth and imagination, relying on our Arab heritage and myths, especially those from Saudi Arabia, rather than global stories and legends that do not belong to us or resemble us. Therefore, readers become attached to this genre because it stems from their environment and is close to their thoughts, personalities and feelings.
“I present it in an easy and smooth language, but with philosophical and cognitive depth. This style is known as simple, yet it is enjoyed and understood by both young and old, and by all segments of society,” he added.
By breaking old, outdated literary molds, Al-Muslim hopes to keep up with the ideas, problems, wishes and aspirations of a new generation, saying he has “become close to them” and “understands them greatly.”
He added: “There is no doubt that the originality in my writing and my lack of imitation offers something new and unfamiliar, which has sparked excitement, enthusiasm, attachment and a desire to seek out new things among my readers.”
The author discussed plans for screen adaptation: “Yes, God willing, MBC Group has acquired the rights to almost all of my publications to turn them into dramatic series and films.
“Approximately 80 percent of the first part of the ‘Arabistan Orchards’ series has already been completed, with production costs considered the highest in Arab fantasy, exceeding $30 million.
“The beginning of work on the ‘Fear’ trilogy, the most famous book in my publications, has also been announced. Additionally, we are working on producing a movie based on one of my short novels, which the group will announce later.”
KSrelief provides 500 mobile homes for Syrian refugees in Jordan
KSrelief’s sanitation project has provided 12.2 million liters of water for residents in Saada, Hajjah and Hodeidah
Updated 17 May 2024
Arab News
RIYADH: The Kingdom’s aid agency KSrelief has provided 500 new mobile homes for Syrian refugees in Zaatari camp in Jordan, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Friday.
The homes are for the most vulnerable families, including new arrivals and newlyweds.
Meanwhile, in Yemen, the aid agency’s sanitation project has provided over the past week 12.2 million liters of water for residents in Saada, Hajjah and Hodeidah.
Over 40,000 people in Yemen are benefitting from this initiative.
These projects are a part of the Kingdom’s humanitarian and aid efforts to assist people in need across the world.
Man arrested in Jazan for transporting 10 illegal migrants
Saudi border guard land patrols also foiled an attempt to smuggle 30 kg of hashish into Al-Raboah, Asir
Updated 17 May 2024
SPA
RIYADH: Al-Afwaj security patrols in Al-Arida, Jazan, arrested a Saudi citizen for transporting in 10 Ethiopians, who illegally crossed the Kingdom’s border in his vehicle.
The 10 Ethiopians were referred to the relevant authorities and, subsequently, to the Public Prosecution.
Media spokesperson of the Ministry of Interior’s Al-Afwaj Regiment said that anyone found to be facilitating illegal entry to the Kingdom, including providing transportation and shelter, could face imprisonment for a maximum of 15 years, a fine of up to SR1 million ($260,000), as well as confiscation of vehicles and property.
Meanwhile, Saudi border guard land patrols in Al-Raboah, Asir, foiled an attempt to smuggle 30 kg of hashish.
Preliminary legal procedures have been completed, and the seized items were handed over to the relevant authority.
Elsewhere, Saudi Border Guard land patrols in Al-Aridah, Jazan, foiled an attempt to smuggle 140 kg of qat. Preliminary legal procedures have been completed, and the seized items were handed over to the relevant authorities.
Patrols of the General Administration of Mujahideen in the Eastern Province arrested a citizen for selling amphetamines.
Citizens and residents with information on drug smuggling or trafficking A few asked to call 911 in Makkah, Riyadh and the Eastern Province, and 999 in the rest of the Kingdom. They can also contact the General Directorate of Narcotics Control at 995 or email: [email protected]. All reports are treated confidentially.
RIYADH: The Saudi Red Sea Authority has issued licenses for three tourist marinas: Al-Ahlam Marina in Jeddah and Jazan, and the Red Sea Marina in Jeddah.
The authority is issuing licenses to regulate marine tourism in an effort to achieve the goals of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 in building the coastal tourism sector.
In regulating the operation of marinas, the authority can improve the quality of services provided to tourists and visitors, and preserve and sustain the marine environment.
Regular field visits are carried out by the authority to tourist marinas in Jeddah, Jazan, Al-Lith and Yanbu, to provide technical and consultative support.
Marina operators must ensure compliance with international standards to receive a license from the authority.
Saudi Red Sea Authority began its journey toward building and regulating the coastal tourism sector in 2021, with the objective of enhancing integration among relevant entities by issuing licenses and permits, and formulating essential policies and strategies, assessing infrastructure requirements, preserving the marine environment, attracting investments, and fostering navigational and marine tourism activities.
How a Saudi healthcare startup is using AI to transform the diagnosis of chronic diseases
The work of SDM highlights the impact AI can have on the accessibility and increased accuracy of diagnostics
The firm has already served more than 30,000 patients over the last two years at clinics across Saudi Arabia
Updated 14 min 53 sec ago
Lama Alhamawi
RIYADH: Healthcare startup SDM is using artificial intelligence to make healthcare efficient, accessible and potentially life-saving by detecting the stages of chronic diseases such as diabetes through retinal imaging analysis of the eye.
“When you hear the phrase ‘your eye is a window to your body,’ it’s actually the retina that is the window to any systemic diseases,” Dr. Selwa Al-Hazzaa, CEO and founder of SDM, told Arab News.
Since launching in 2018, SDM has worked on filling the gaps in the health sector as a developer of digital technology solutions to promote well-being and accessibility in remote communities across the Kingdom and beyond.
Dr. Selwa Al-Hazzaa, CEO and founder of SDM. (Supplied)
Al-Hazzaa, along with her co-founder and managing director, Naif Al-Obaidallah, have had a longstanding passion for making healthcare accessible and low-cost, with the belief that “everyone should have access to healthcare.”
Al-Obaidallah told Arab News: “Everyone should have a right to see a doctor or get treated.”
A trailblazer in the field of AI medicine, SDM combines AI technology with Al-Hazzaa’s 40 years of experience, partnering with nonprofits to carry out a comprehensive mass detection of chronic diseases through the retina.
“I had a dream that I wanted patients to be examined and get good quality care without actually coming to Selwa Al-Hazzaa in a specialized hospital,” she said. “I kept asking myself: Why can’t I take my experience, put it in a package, and give it to the community?
“By the time many patients come to me, it’s already too late and they’re blind. There had to be a way that I could reach the community. And this was when SDM was born.”
The result was an accessible and automated healthcare service that does not require physicians to be on site, thereby reaching tens of thousands of people across the Kingdom.
The World Health Organization estimates there are 7 million diabetics in Saudi Arabia. Within the region, eye disease is the main cause of blindness and 10-12 percent of the population in Saudi Arabia with diabetic eye disease go blind if the condition is not treated.
Only an estimated 24 percent of patients have been screened for diabetic eye disease in Saudi Arabia, while 76 percent remain unexamined.
The work SDM is doing highlights the impact AI can have on healthcare and the mass outreach of health diagnostics at reduced cost and increased accuracy. SDM has already served more than 30,000 patients in more than 13 centers around the Kingdom over the last two years.
“Our focuses are specifically on rural areas, places that don’t have access to highly specialized doctors,” said Al-Obaidallah. “In a given day, sometimes we’ve seen over 150 patients. And that’s all using AI and deep learning. It’s a very trusted way of diagnosing.”
Unlike traditional healthcare methods, SDM has developed technology to make detection automated, instant and seamless with results reaching the patient in a matter of minutes, clearing obstacles to treatment. (Supplied)
SDM has benefited from the support of “success partners” at NEOM, the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology, the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Saudi Telecom, Al-Faisal University and business incubator “The Garage.”
In order to grasp the revolutionary impact of what SDM is doing, it is necessary to understand how disease detection is traditionally conducted.
At the Kingdom’s diabetic centers, patients are typically seen by pathologists, endocrinologists, cardiologists and podiatrists. However, patients do not usually see ophthalmologists, who are technically surgeons and found in hospitals.
As a result, eye disease screening is often overlooked, potentially leading to complications down the line.
“The patient traditionally would only be sent to take the photo of the retina if they complained. But the symptoms only come in diabetes in the late stages,” said Al-Hazzaa.
“They would save the photos until the ophthalmologist came to visit, which would be maybe once a month or twice a month, depending on the collaboration with the ophthalmology clinics.”
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Unlike traditional healthcare methods, SDM has developed technology to make detection automated, instant and seamless with results reaching the patient in a matter of minutes, clearing obstacles to treatment.
When a patient comes into an SDM clinic, a trained technician photographs the back of their eye using a specialized instrument called a fundus camera. The image is then sent via a secure cloud for AI diagnostics.
“Within minutes, the report comes out either in English, which is then integrated for the doctor, and in Arabic, where the patient is actually given the PDF report in his or her hand,” said Al-Hazzaa.
“It is totally run by technicians, photographers, nurses, even primary care physicians — all these healthcare personnel, who have no experience whatsoever with eye diseases.”
Al-Hazzaa underlined the ease this technology provides for patients, healthcare providers who are taking the photos and the endocrinologists who see the patients following the examination.
The technology outperforms even the most experienced physicians in detecting problems, according to the SDM. (Supplied)
In terms of accuracy, Al-Hazzaa said the technology outperforms even the most experienced physicians in detecting problems.
“I can tell you the algorithmic solution is now much more sensitive than me,” she said. “The best I could do was 93 percent. The AI solution has actually reached over 95 percent.
“The unique thing is, not only are you using automation, which is convenient for the patient, convenient for the healthcare provider, but you’re also introducing automation at a sensitivity that is much greater than your board-certified retinologist, not just ophthalmologist.”
Like workers across many sectors, the uptake of AI tools among physicians has been slow to catch on, as many fear that mass adoption could ultimately cost jobs.
“They thought: ‘Here’s a machine that’s much more accurate than us, that’s faster than us, and it’s going to take our place.’ They were very reluctant,” said Al-Hazzaa.
“After one year of being in the diabetic center, the ophthalmologist actually came back to me and said: ‘Dr. Selwa, thank you. You improved our surgical skills because you have taken all the routine repetitive exams that we are no longer interested in’.”
Diabetic eye disease is not the only condition SDM is able to detect through the AI analysis of retinal imaging.
“With the picture of the retina, which is the back of the eye, you can detect at least 20 diseases,” said Al-Obaidallah.
Naif Al-Obaidallah, co-founder and managing director of SDM. (Supplied)
“We’re working on a lot of other diseases, whether it is glaucoma, hypertension, Alzheimer’s, which can be diagnosed and detected with a picture of your eye. It’s mind-boggling to see how the eyes can basically tell you everything about your body. And it’s done in a very basic way. There is no surgery needed.”
As part of its mission to make healthcare more accessible, SDM is working with a mobile diagnostics center in Madinah to reach patients in rural areas.
After some initial delay in securing regulatory approval, SDM’s innovative technology has since rapidly advanced.
“Artificial intelligence as a whole, maybe in some industries, it’s there and it’s in use,” said Al-Obaidallah. “But in healthcare, it’s still fairly new. So, when we work on something, we’re basically paving the way.
“We worked with the Council of Health Insurance on coding, the use of artificial intelligence in healthcare, specifically, in our exam, in our product.
“We were basically the first company to work with the CHI on the new Saudi billing system, to introduce artificial intelligence as a billing code for hospitals and insurance companies to use.”
However, all of SDM’s services are provided free of charge in partnership with nonprofits.
“Everything is free. No one pays anything,” said Al-Obaidallah. “Our goal is for patients to have the right to diagnosis of chronic diseases.”
As part of its mission to make healthcare more accessible, SDM is working with a mobile diagnostics center in Madinah to reach patients in rural areas. (Supplied)
Beyond diagnostics, SDM also recently announced new software utilizing generative AI. “It’s basically a large language model, an LLM, which is a very hot topic,” said Al-Obaidallah.
“Recently, everyone’s been talking about generative AI. So, we’ve worked on a generative AI model that is more of a chatbot that you ask any question related to diabetes. And it would basically give you an answer.
“We’ve been feeding it with journals, publications, specifically, chosen by experts in the field to make sure that this gives you clear and straight answers.”
Looking five years into the future, Al-Hazzaa hopes to move from predictive AI to generative AI using LLMs.
“I know with confidence that SDM will not only be treating diabetic diseases, but we will be going into other chronic diseases such as predicting hypertension, stroke and Alzheimer’s,” she said.
“We will also be looking into other chronic ophthalmology diseases such as glaucoma, such as age-related macular degeneration.”
