Saudi commission to showcase culinary arts at Riyadh expo

Saudi Arabia’s Culinary Arts Commission announced its participation in the upcoming international culinary exhibition InFlavour Expo. (InFlavour)
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Updated 23 October 2023
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Saudi commission to showcase culinary arts at Riyadh expo

  • Visitors to the exhibition will be greeted with traditional Saudi treats, including maqshush, Saudi coffee, and dates
  • InFlavour is a prominent global event that blends science, technology, art, business, hospitality, and cuisine

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Culinary Arts Commission announced its participation in the upcoming international culinary exhibition InFlavour Expo, taking place from Oct. 29 to 31 at the Riyadh Exhibition and Convention Center.

Visitors to the exhibition will be greeted with traditional Saudi treats, including maqshush, Saudi coffee, and dates.

During the event, the commission will unveil its innovative strategy for the culinary arts sector, which includes the introduction of a business incubator for Kawn, a program designed to provide support to businesses and startups by offering mentorship and workshops, enabling them to enter and compete in the market.

The incubation period for participants will span four to six months.

Additionally, the commission will showcase the Abde’a cultural license platform, aimed at promoting greater involvement of the private sector in cultural events and initiatives.

The commission’s participation in this exhibition reflects its commitment to empowering Saudi chefs, facilitating interactions with world-renowned culinary experts, and showcasing the rich, time-honored traditional recipes of Saudi cuisine.

InFlavour is a prominent global event that blends science, technology, art, business, hospitality, and cuisine. It attracts renowned Michelin-star chefs, industry leaders, global consumer brand representatives, and international luminaries.

The expo will host 40,000 visitors, feature more than 200 speakers, showcase over 600 exhibitors, and welcome over 200 international investors and venture capitalists specializing in the food and hospitality sector.


King Abdullah Medical City in Makkah pioneers first robotic thoracic surgery with Da Vinci system

Updated 30 May 2025
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King Abdullah Medical City in Makkah pioneers first robotic thoracic surgery with Da Vinci system

  • Dr. Adel Tash, CEO of KAMC, told Arab News that the launch of the service is a significant medical milestone

MAKKAH: King Abdullah Medical City in Makkah has successfully performed the first precise robotic thoracic surgery using the Da Vinci Xi system.

Dr. Adel Tash, CEO of KAMC, told Arab News that the launch of the service is a significant medical milestone, further solidifying the city’s role as a leading reference center for advanced specialized healthcare, driven by the latest innovations in medical and surgical technology.

“The first case involved a patient in his thirties who suffered from recurrent air accumulations in his left chest cavity, causing persistent breathing difficulties. Tests revealed cysts in the upper and lower lobes of his left lung. These cysts were successfully removed, and the lung was attached to the chest wall using a surgical robot during a delicate operation that took an hour and a half,” Tash said.

The operation was performed under the leadership of Dr. Muteb Al-Zaidi, a consultant in thoracic, esophageal, and gastric surgery, using robotic and minimally invasive endoscopic techniques. He was assisted by Dr. Ayman Jaafar, assistant consultant in thoracic surgery, in collaboration with a specialized team from the anesthesia and nursing departments.

Tash said robotic surgery is characterized by the high precision provided by the 3D camera, and the ability to precisely access complex areas of the body with minimal intervention, which is reflected in reduced post-operative pain, accelerated recovery, and faster discharge of the patient from the hospital compared with traditional operations.

He said that traditional operations required surgical incisions that could be more than 10 centimeters whereas a single incision in robotic surgery does not exceed 1 cm, which reduces side effects and improves overall surgical outcomes.

Tash concluded by underscoring KAMC’s ongoing commitment to adopting the latest scientific technologies and providing advanced and safe healthcare services that contribute to improving patients’ quality of life and making the treatment experience a model to be emulated across the Kingdom and the region.

In this context, KAMC, a member of the Makkah Health Cluster, launched the Da Vinci surgical system, positioning itself among the first healthcare institutions in the Western Region to adopt this state-of-the-art technology for intricate and high-precision surgeries. This step is expected to enhance the quality of medical services and elevate the patient experience, aligning with the goals of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.

The Da Vinci system is a robotic platform that allows surgeons to perform complex procedures with exceptional precision. Operated from a central console, the system translates the surgeon’s hand movements into highly refined, microscopic actions, enhanced by a high-definition, magnified 3D view of the surgical site. It comprises three key components: the surgeon console, where the surgeon directs the procedure via an advanced visual interface; the patient cart, which houses robotic arms equipped with surgical instruments and a high-resolution camera; and the vision cart, responsible for image transmission and visual processing. Crucially, the system is not autonomous. The entire operation is performed under the full control of a surgeon.

The system was first used at KAMC in a thoracic surgery, followed by a complex procedure for a patient with uterine cancer. The surgery was completed without complications, and the patient was discharged in less than 24 hours.

KAMC now plans to expand the system’s use to a wide range of specialties, including urology, gastrointestinal surgery, thoracic and cardiac procedures, bariatric surgery, and other advanced general surgeries.

The system offers a range of technical and medical advantages, including high-definition 3D visualization that allows surgeons to observe intricate anatomical details with exceptional clarity; ultra-precise instrument control that mimics the natural movement of the human hand with microscopic accuracy; and minimally invasive procedures through small incisions, which significantly reduce pain, blood loss, and the risk of infection.

Patients benefit from faster recovery times, shorter hospital stays, and improved surgical outcomes with lower complication rates compared with traditional surgery. Additionally, the system supports advanced surgical education and training through a safe, highly accurate simulation environment.

KAMC seeks to broaden the application of robotic surgery across additional subspecialties, advance physician training through immersive virtual reality simulations, and use smart analytics and artificial intelligence to elevate the precision, efficiency and overall quality of surgical outcomes.


Saudi Arabia reports five heat exhaustion cases among pilgrims, urges precautions amid soaring temperatures

As temperatures soared at the holy sites, Saudi Arabia confirmed five cases of heat exhaustion among pilgrims. (AP/File)
Updated 30 May 2025
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Saudi Arabia reports five heat exhaustion cases among pilgrims, urges precautions amid soaring temperatures

  • Kingdom’s National Center for Meteorology forecast hot to extremely hot weather conditions at holy sites during Hajj

MAKKAH: As temperatures soared at the holy sites, Saudi Arabia confirmed five cases of heat exhaustion among the more than one million pilgrims who have arrived to perform Hajj rituals.

All those affected received immediate medical attention and are currently in a stable condition, according to the ministry of health, which added that health teams were on high alert to respond swiftly to similar cases as part of the Kingdom’s commitment to safeguarding the health and safety of pilgrims.

The country’s National Center for Meteorology has forecast hot to extremely hot weather conditions at the holy sites during this year’s Hajj season.

According to the center, maximum temperatures are expected to range between 40°C and 47°C, while minimum temperatures will vary between 27°C and 32°C. Humidity levels are projected to fluctuate between 15 percent and 60 percent.

In a post on its X account, the ministry urged pilgrims to stay hydrated, avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight, and follow official health guidelines, such as using shaded walkways, wearing appropriate protective gear, and seeking help at the first signs of fatigue.

“If not treated promptly, heat exhaustion can escalate to heat stroke within 10-15 minutes — a life-threatening medical emergency,” the post stated.

The ministry also advised pilgrims who experience heat exhaustion symptoms to begin immediate cooling measures, such as washing their hands, faces and necks with cold water and moving to a cooler area, as well as drinking plenty of cold water to rehydrate.

In its post, the ministry identified headache, excessive sweating, nausea, dizziness, and severe thirst as key clinical symptoms of heat exhaustion.

Multilingual awareness campaigns have been launched, and field preparedness has been reinforced, particularly in response to seasonal heat risks.

The ministry had announced the health sector's readiness to receive pilgrims, revealing a 60 percent increase in bed capacity compared with last year.

Fahad Al-Jalajel, the minister of health, recently confirmed the deployment of over 50,000 medical and technical personnel to serve pilgrims and emphasized the stability of the health situation, with no reported outbreaks or epidemics, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

“Health efforts began early in pilgrims’ homelands by analyzing international health risks and issuing clear health requirements, including vaccinations against yellow fever, meningitis, polio, COVID-19, and influenza,” SPA reported, citing Al-Jalajel.

The minister underscored the role of the health certificate as the first line of defense during the Hajj season, noting that the Kingdom’s health system launched its services with the arrival of the first Makkah Route Initiative flight.

As part of the Kingdom’s comprehensive preparations, 14 land, air, and sea ports have been fully equipped, delivering more than 50,000 health services so far, including 140 surgical procedures, 65 cardiac catheterizations, and six open-heart surgeries, the minister said.

To combat heatstroke risks, Al-Jalajel announced a series of measures in coordination with the Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites. These include planting more than 10,000 trees, installing 400 additional water coolers and misting fans, and expanding shaded pedestrian pathways to protect pilgrims from extreme heat.

The ministry of health has also intensified awareness efforts through multilingual campaigns, stationing field teams, launching media programs, and organizing medical missions to ensure important health information reaches all pilgrims.

Al-Jalajel further revealed the establishment of a new 200-bed emergency hospital in Mina, developed in collaboration with Kidana Development Co.

In addition, three new field hospitals with more than 1,200 beds have been set up in partnership with the ministries of national guard, defense, and interior.

These were inaugurated “alongside 71 emergency points, 900 ambulances, 11 evacuation aircraft, and over 7,500 paramedics,” Al-Jalajel told SPA.

The minister urged pilgrims to follow health guidelines and affirmed that the Kingdom’s health system is operating at full capacity to ensure a safe and healthy Hajj season for all.


Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud meets citizens of Taif Governorate

Updated 24 min 23 sec ago
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Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud meets citizens of Taif Governorate

  • Taif is fast becoming a major tourist hub in the Kingdom, with visitors arriving from around the world, including the Gulf, to enjoy its pristine environment and natural attractions during holiday celebrations

TAIF: Saudi Minister of Interior Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif conveyed the greetings of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to the citizens of Taif governorate.

It came during his recent meeting with several citizens from the governorate, in the presence of Deputy Gov. of Makkah Region Prince Saud bin Mishaal bin Abdulaziz and Taif Gov. Prince Saud bin Nahar.

Taif is fast becoming a major tourist hub in the Kingdom, with visitors arriving from around the world, including the Gulf, to enjoy its pristine environment and natural attractions during holiday celebrations.

The region is home to spacious valleys and ample water courses.

 


KSrelief to operate Somalia’s National Blood Bank

Updated 16 sec ago
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KSrelief to operate Somalia’s National Blood Bank

  • The agreement for the project, expected to benefit over 10,000 people, was signed in Riyadh by Ahmed bin Ali Al-Baiz, the center’s assistant supervisor general for operations and programs

RIYADH: The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center has signed an agreement with the International Wars and Disasters Victims’ Protection Association to implement the second phase of the National Blood Bank project in Mogadishu, Somalia.

The agreement for the project, expected to benefit over 10,000 people, was signed in Riyadh by Ahmed bin Ali Al-Baiz, the center’s assistant supervisor general for operations and programs.

Dr. Abdullah Al-Moallem, director of KSrelief’s health and environmental aid department, said: “The National Blood Bank in Mogadishu will operate under this agreement to help reduce mortality rates and limit the spread of bloodborne infectious and epidemic diseases.

This will be achieved through the provision of a safe and secure blood supply for transfusions and medical treatments. The project will also support early detection of blood-related and other illnesses, strengthening the overall healthcare system.”

 


Islamic Solidarity Fund attends Tunis committee

Updated 10 min 18 sec ago
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Islamic Solidarity Fund attends Tunis committee

  • The fund’s executive director, Mohammed bin Sulaiman Aba Al-Khai, met several officials to discuss topics and exchange expertise in areas of mutual interest

JEDDAH: The Islamic Solidarity Fund — a member of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation — took part in the 38th session of the Islamic Committee of the International Crescent, with the attendance of more than 50 participants, including the chairman and members of the committee, representatives of some national Red Crescent and Red Cross societies, regional and international humanitarian organizations, member states of the OIC, observers and official guests in the Tunisian capital, Tunis.

The fund’s participation in the session was part of its capacity as an observer, highlighting its more than 40-year-long relationship with the committee in supporting its activities and providing emergency humanitarian aid under the umbrella of the OIC.

On the sidelines of the session, the fund’s executive director, Mohammed bin Sulaiman Aba Al-Khai, met several officials to discuss topics and exchange expertise in areas of mutual interest.