JEDDAH: One of Saudi Arabia’s top doctors has defeated COVID-19 and has left the hospital where he was treated for three weeks.
Dr. Nezar Bahabri is an infectious disease consultant who had a steady presence on TV screens and social media platforms even before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in early March.
During the outbreak he had been helping spread awareness about the importance of taking steps to battle the spread of the disease as well as fighting fake news about it.
The consultant addressed his discharge from hospital in a short social media post that also explained why he was admitted in the first place.
“I’m Nezar Bahabri and I was infected by coronavirus,” was the short but straightforward start to the post.
The consultant confessed to making the mistake of taking it easy when it came to precautionary measures and wearing a mask, ignoring the warning signs before his health deteriorated.
“I, like hundreds and thousands of heroes before me, were performing our duties treating patients infected and got infected with the same infection that we were treating patients for.”
With an oxygen tank by his side, he sent a message to “the white army” and urged them to wear a mask and not make the same mistakes he did.
His second piece of advice was to never ignore the signs. “Even my patients would tell me that I looked ill, I would ignore (that) and take pain killers,” he said. “My advice is to calm down and learn.”
Videos of his ICU discharge circulated on social media, with staff showering him with flowers in celebration of his release after three weeks in the unit.
But, in line with his usual style, Bahabri continued to advise his followers and specifically COVID-19 patients to never give up.
He described the three weeks as the hardest of his life, and reminded people that 80 percent of confirmed COVID-19 patients had mild symptoms.
“If you are from the 20 percent and your breathing is constricted, head to the hospital and don’t wait,” he said, adding that if the fever lasted more than five days then patients must head to the hospital.
“Remember, less than 5 percent of patients with breathing complications due to COVID-19 are admitted to the ICU.”
He warned anyone with symptoms to stay vigilant and not to neglect their health. He expressed his gratitude for everyone’s prayers and said he would continue with his rehabilitation at home until he was fully recovered.
His final advice to everyone was to be patient. “Life doesn’t stop,” he said.
Top Saudi doctor defeats COVID-19 following 3-week treatment
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Top Saudi doctor defeats COVID-19 following 3-week treatment
- I’m Nezar Bahabri. I, like hundreds and thousands of heroes before me, were performing our duties treating patients infected and got infected with the same infection that we were treating patients for
Experimental farm in Al-Lith looks into future of Saudi Arabian agriculture
- Research initiative reflects strategic transformation
JEDDAH: An experimental farm in Saudi Arabia’s Al-Lith Governorate is one of the research initiatives reflecting the strategic transformation taking place in the Kingdom’s agricultural sector.
The farm uses highly efficient, sustainable production models that combine scientific research with commercial application, contributing to strengthening the country’s food security system and the sustainability of water resources.
Located in the Ghumaiqa Center on an area of about 10 hectares, the cutting-edge farm is a testing platform for modern agricultural technologies that tackle the challenge of water scarcity.
The farm includes developed open fields and modern greenhouses, supported by smart irrigation encompassing drip and sprinkler irrigation alongside surface and subsurface technologies.
All the systems operate via smart controls that enable the monitoring of water consumption and ensure improved efficiency, thereby achieving a balance between agricultural production and water conservation.
The farm also uses treated and diluted low-salinity seawater.
It aims to diversify agricultural water sources, reduce reliance on freshwater, and open new horizons for agriculture in coastal and semi-arid environments.
The project represents a promising investment opportunity in the field of smart agriculture, enabling the development of commercially scalable production models, particularly for high-value vegetables and fruits, while reducing operational costs associated with water and energy, enhancing the economic feasibility of future agricultural projects.
In addition, the project contributes to transferring and localizing agricultural expertise, supporting local food supply chains, and creating an attractive environment for agricultural investment.
This aligns with Sustainable Development Goals and enhances the efficiency of the private sector in adopting innovative agricultural solutions.
Yahya bin Abdulrahman Al-Mahabi, the director of the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture office in Al-Lith Governorate, told the Saudi Press Agency that the project represented the future of agriculture in the Kingdom.
He explained that the vision was based on investing in technology, enhancing the return on water per unit, and integrating scientific research with investment opportunities.
Al-Mahabi spoke of the experimental farm as a modern, scalable and replicable model applicable in several regions of the Kingdom, particularly in coastal environments.
Al-Mahabi highlighted the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture’s commitment to supporting distinctive projects that contributed to achieving food security while developing rural areas and enhancing agricultural production efficiency, in line with the objectives of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.
