RIYADH: King Salman’s tour of Asia has given a new dimension to bilateral relations with countries of the region, commentators said.
The tour comes at a time when the Kingdom is working keenly to diversify its economy, having launched the ambitious Vision 2030 reform plan.
Mohammed Al-Khunaizi, a senior member of the Shoura Council, told Arab News on Friday: “King Salman’s visit to the Southeast Asian countries is to sustain good relations with Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, Japan and China as well as for the benefit of the Saudi economy that will help better execute the strategic plan Vision 2030.”
The king’s landmark tour will also be beneficial to the Gulf states and the wider Islamic world, Al-Khunaizi observed.
He said scores of agreements worth billions of dollars signed during the royal tour will help the Saudi economy to grow faster, and help create more jobs for Saudi graduates.
Dr. Majed Abdullah Al-Hedayan, a legal consultant and investment expert in Riyadh, said: “The Asian tour by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques comes at a time when the Kingdom is seeking to diversify its economy away from oil dominance and consolidate (the) relations of Saudi Arabia with the Muslim world around Asia.
“After King Salman was able to arrange a special relationship on the Arab and the Gulf level on a number of strategic issues, as well as (having) formed a leading Islamic alliance to counter terrorism in the region and around the world, the Asian tour of King Salman is to deepen relations between Saudi Arabia, the Gulf states and Asian countries in terms of (the economy) as well as for security and stability.”
He further underlined that the Saudi leadership is working to diversify its strategic partnership with East Asian countries to the highest level, to enhance the position of the Kingdom as a gateway and bridge between Asia and Africa.
King Salman’s Asian tour seen bolstering ties with friendly countries
King Salman’s Asian tour seen bolstering ties with friendly countries
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Saudi hospital pioneers preventive type 1 diabetes treatment
RIYADH: King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center introduced a groundbreaking preventive treatment aimed at slowing the progression of type 1 diabetes, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.
The new therapy is designed for adults and children aged eight years and older who are diagnosed at stage two of the disease. It marks the first time such a treatment has been implemented in the Kingdom.
The initial application involved two patients who met all the criteria outlined in the approved protocol. The step represents a major advance in early preventive care for one of the most common autoimmune conditions affecting children and adolescents.
Both cases were treated at the hospital’s Department of Pediatrics. For families already managing type 1 diabetes, the innovation brings new hope.
Siblings of affected children often face increased risk due to shared genetic and immune factors. Preventive options like this could significantly lower those risks in the future.
The treatment targets the early, pre-type 1 diabetes stage when insulin-producing pancreatic cells begin to deteriorate. Through early intervention, doctors can slow this damage, delay the onset of symptoms and help extend the time before full disease progression.
Implementing the therapy required careful preparation. The drug was compounded in the hospital pharmacy under a precise protocol, while nursing teams received training on administration, monitoring and managing possible reactions.
Medical staff were also briefed on patient selection and follow-up criteria based on the latest clinical guidelines.
According to the SPA, experts expect the program to inspire national research focused on the early stages of the disease and on developing preventive approaches that enhance quality of life for at-risk groups.
KFSH&RC continues to gain recognition on the global stage. It was ranked first in the Middle East and Africa, and 15th worldwide among the top 250 academic medical centers for 2025.
The hospital was also named the most valuable healthcare brand in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East by Brand Finance 2025.
Additionally, Newsweek included KFSH&RC on its lists of the World’s Best Hospitals (2025), the World’s Smartest Hospitals (2026) and the World’s Best Specialized Hospitals (2026).
