About 60 percent of respondents in a recent survey are keen on inclusion of health education with a focus on healthy lifestyle in school curriculums. The survey was conducted by the Healthcare Development Holding Co. in collaboration with the Health Ministry and Tam Development Co. Ltd..
The public opinion was based on the need for children to have awareness of healthy lifestyle from an early age since they can adopt it and stay healthy and combat diseases in later years.
Dr. Faisal Asad, project manager at Tam Development and director general of Health Award, said the public feedback was received following an electronic survey taken up on the issue.
The public also suggested that there should be strategic communication between the Ministries of Health and Education to promote healthy lifestyle and health education with traditional methods that will have a positive effect on the public health sector in Saudi Arabia.
The health award winner, which was also announced simultaneously, will be done in April with Health Minister Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah expected to honor the winner in a ceremony.
According to the website of the award, so far 1,304 people had given suggestions, while 238 projects have also registered for the health award.
He added that till now the number of viewers had touched 132,415 and number of voters 4,753.
He said the health award carries a cash prize of SR500,000, and the 10 best projects will be selected by 30 percent votes of the public through the website, 60 percent on the decision by a jury and 10 percent by the decision of the participants at the awarding ceremony.
The aim of the award in its first edition is to attract 100 projects and 2,000 ideas from people to select the best which can be applied to improve and promote healthy lifestyle as an essential tool for the prevention of many physical, mental and psychological diseases.
He said that the importance of this award is to spread awareness of healthy lifestyle and health projects to make the society a healthy society.
People can participate in this through website www.HealthAward.net.
Survey shows most people want health education in schools
Survey shows most people want health education in schools
Saudi Arabian Railways breaks records in 2025: 14mn passengers and 30mn tons of freight
- By transporting 30 million tons of freight via rail in 2025, SAR successfully removed 2 million truck journeys from the Kingdom’s highways, resulting in 139 million liters of fuel saved
- It also meant a reduction of carbon emissions by 364,000 tons, contributing directly to the Saudi Green Initiative
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR) has announced record-breaking operational milestones for the year 2025, solidifying its position as a cornerstone of the Kingdom’s logistics and tourism sectors.
SAR transported over 14 million passengers, representing a significant leap from the 11.2 million passengers recorded in 2023, highlighting the increasing adoption of rail travel for both commuting and pilgrimage, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Similarly, freight operations have expanded robustly from approximately 24 million tons in 2023 to the current 30 million tons, driven by increased industrial demand and mining logistics.
By transporting 30 million tons of freight via rail in 2025, the network successfully removed two million truck journeys from the Kingdom’s highways, resulting in 139 million liters of fuel saved.
It also meant a reduction of carbon emissions by 364,000 tons, contributing directly to the Saudi Green Initiative, the report said.
These figures underscore SAR’s pivotal role in realizing the National Transport and Logistics Strategy (NTLS) and Saudi Vision 2030, delivering a network that is not only efficient but also environmentally sustainable.
“Dream of the Desert”
A standout achievement of 2025 was the official launch of the Dream of the Desert, the first luxury train service in the Middle East and North Africa.
Developed in partnership with the Italian luxury hospitality company Arsenale Group, this service has redefined rail tourism. The train features 40 custom-designed luxury cabins, offering a “rail cruise” experience inspired by the classic Orient Express but with a distinct Saudi Arabian identity. The route traverses the Kingdom from Riyadh to Al Qurayyat, stopping at key cultural heritage sites including Ha’il and Al-Jouf, effectively turning the journey itself into a destination.
In a major move to capitalize on Transit-Oriented Development (TOD), SAR announced the establishment of a SAR6 billion real estate fund focused on Makkah.
This fund is dedicated to developing prime lands adjacent to the Haramain High Speed Railway station in Makkah. The initiative aims to enhance the pilgrim experience by constructing high-capacity hotels, commercial centers, and residential units directly linked to the station. This development not only diversifies SAR’s revenue streams but also supports the government’s goal of hosting 30 million Umrah pilgrims annually by seamlessly integrating transport and accommodation.
Global Recognition
Internationally, SAR’s commitment to excellence was recognized on the global stage. SAR became the first company to win the prestigious International Union of Railways (UIC) award for long-distance tourist trains.
The ceremony was held at the union’s headquarters in Paris, France, with broad participation from major railway companies worldwide.
The UIC, known as the worldwide railway organization, presented the award in recognition of SAR’s innovation in integrating luxury tourism with heavy rail infrastructure.
This accolade cements SAR’s reputation for service quality and places the Kingdom on the map as a premier destination for railway enthusiasts and luxury travelers alike.
