Hanan Balkhy is a professor of pediatrics and infectious diseases. She spent the first six years of her life in the US, where her father was studying for a doctorate in economics. After the family returned to Saudi Arabia, she grew up in Jeddah with a passion for sports and outdoor activities.
A graduate of King Abdulaziz University, she followed in the footsteps of her two older siblings and became a physician. She then went back to the US and pursued a specialization in pediatrics at Massachusetts General Hospital, and then infectious diseases at The Cleveland Clinic Foundation and Case Western Reserve University.
Over the past 20 years, Balkhy has helped to establish and lead many programs in her field at national and regional levels. As a result, the World Health Organization, the United Nations and several other international bodies have recognized her as an expert in her field and sought her opinions, inviting her to serve on a variety of committees.
She is very much inspired by the younger generation and takes pride in her mentorship roles, which she takes very seriously. She has always believed that, as a society, we are capable of reaching the stars — and, indeed, has proven herself correct.
“Our role is to pave the road for the next generation,” she said. “When I returned from my training we had a lot of gaps that needed to be filled, but we want the fresh graduates to hit the road running. They need to start from where we ended.”
Balkhy’s biggest worry is the education system.
“There are skills that are still not being taught at the school level, and that weakens the ability for our students to compete,” she said. “I hope one day, soon, to see the education system totally revamped.” She stressed her belief in the importance of a strong K12 education in the growth and evolution of civilizations.
Balkhy also loves nature and never passes up a chance to spend time outdoors. She said that if she had more free time, she would also be busy with interior design, mixing and matching all sorts of fabrics and surprising herself with what she is capable of.
TheFace: Hanan Balkhy, professor of pediatrics and infectious diseases
TheFace: Hanan Balkhy, professor of pediatrics and infectious diseases
- Balkhy loves nature and never passes up a chance to spend time outdoors
Saudi Arabia announces new financial support to the Yemeni government
RIYADH: Saudi Ambassador to Yemen and Supervisor of the Saudi Program for the Development and Reconstruction of Yemen Mohammed Al-Jaber announced that the Kingdom, under the directives of its leadership, has provided new support to the Yemeni government's budget, aimed at paying the salaries of state employees in all sectors.
In a post on X, Al-Jaber stated that this support complements a package of development projects and initiatives, amounting to SR1.9 billion, announced on Wednesday. The package includes provision of necessary petroleum derivatives to operate power plants, which will contribute to improving the living standards of people in Yemen and alleviating daily burdens on them.
Al-Jaber’s post emphasized, in particular, that all salaries of military and security forces linked to the the higher military committee linked to the Saudi led Coalition will be paid as of Sunday.
The post is likely relate to Several Media reports which have suggested that disgraced former Southern Transitional Council (STC) chief Aidaroos Al Zubaidi — who has now fled Yemen — was taking advantage of military personnel and withholding salaries as means of pressure. Al-Zubaidi is wanted by the Yemeni government for acts of high treason and corruption.
The ambassador emphasized that these steps come within the framework of supporting the Yemeni government's efforts to implement the economic reform program, which aims to achieve financial and economic stability and enhance the state's ability to meet its basic obligations.
