JEDDAH: The number of Saudis registering to receive the coronavirus vaccine has doubled in the last three days, the Saudi Health Ministry has said, predicting that registrations “could soon pass the 1 million mark.”
After Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received his first dose of the coronavirus vaccine, Saudis began to register en masse to join the inoculation plan, according to Minister of Health Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah.
“Registration to receive the COVID-19 vaccine increased five-fold in the Kingdom hours after Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received his first dose,” he said.
The ministry announced earlier that more than 737,000 people already signed up to receive the vaccine following the launch of the national inoculation campaign last week.
Appearing on Saudi news channel Al-Ekhbariya, Dr. Hani Jokhdar, deputy minister for public health, said that the ministry expects the number of people registered to exceed 1 million in the next few days.
Jokhdar, who is an infectious disease control and prevention consultant, said that after receiving a second dose of the vaccine, the human body becomes fully immunized against coronavirus in about 10 days.
Jokhdar allayed fears over the new mutation of coronavirus, saying “it is the same disease.”
He said: “The coronavirus has just genetically mutated to take another form, but with the same characteristics. This mutation did not change the nature of the virus, its form or even the diseases and symptoms it is known to cause.”
He added that, while some studies have found that the mutation can spread faster, some doubts still remain over its potency.
“The findings are still under extensive studies and evaluation. Even in the countries where the mutant strains of the virus were reported, doctors deal with the patients the same way they do with COVID-19,” he said. “Ordinary people cannot differentiate between the two types. Physicians can. However, patients with both coronavirus and the new strain are given the same medication.”
The genetic transformation of coronavirus has neither changed the nature of the virus or made it more ferocious, he added.
The deputy minister said that the Health Ministry is examining all available scientific reports on the new strain.
The ministry earlier urged the public to take part in the vaccination drive by registering through the Sehaty app. The vaccination will be carried out in three stages, with each stage targeting a specific demographic. The ministry also reassured the country of the vaccine’s safety
and efficacy.
Saudi Arabia on Wednesday reported 10 new COVID-19-related deaths. The death toll now stands at 6,214.
There were 113 new cases reported in the Kingdom, meaning 362,601 people have now contracted the disease. There are 2,705 active cases, 387 of which are in critical condition.
According to the ministry, 44 of the newly recorded cases were in Riyadh, 18 in Makkah and 13 in Madinah.
In addition, 170 more patients have recovered from coronavirus, bringing the total number of recoveries in the Kingdom to 353,682.
Saudi Arabia has so far conducted 10,973,855 PCR tests, with 36,149 carried out in the past 24 hours.
Saudi health clinics set up by the ministry as testing hubs or treatment centers have helped hundreds of thousands of people around the Kingdom since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic.
Among those testing hubs are Taakad (make sure) centers and Tetamman (rest assured) clinics.
Taakad centers provide COVID-19 testing for those who show no or mild symptoms or believe they have come into contact with an infected individual, while Tetamman clinics offer treatment and advice to those with virus symptoms, such as fever, loss of taste and smell, and breathing difficulties.
Appointments to either service can be made through the health ministry’s Sehaty app.
Saudi Arabia vaccine registrations ‘could soon pass million mark’
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Saudi Arabia vaccine registrations ‘could soon pass million mark’
- Health Ministry reports 113 new virus cases, 170 recoveries, 10 deaths
ISG Dammam hosts first TEDx, showcases students’ oratory skills
- The event featured talks by students across grades 7-12 on a variety of topics, ranging from personal growth to global issues
DAMMAM: The International School Group Dammam celebrated a significant milestone on Thursday by hosting its first-ever TEDx event, marking a momentous occasion for the school as 11 students took to the stage to present their ideas and insights.
The event, themed “Imagine the Impossible,” featured talks by students across grades 7-12 on a variety of topics, ranging from personal growth to global issues.
TEDx refers to independently organized events licensed by TED, a popular global platform known for its short, punchy and powerful talks.
While TED itself stands for Technology, Entertainment and Design, TEDx events are live talks that are community-driven and organized by local groups using the same format as TED conferences, made popular on YouTube. The “x” signals that the event was independently organized while adhering to the stringent TED guidelines and format.
English teacher Nadia Iqbal, who coached the students, shared her pride in their efforts. “The students have put endless hours of work — and the scripts are original. They have really worked from articulating that idea to growing that idea and thinking what we can offer TEDx that was not offered before,” she told Arab News.
Iqbal organized the event alongside the school librarian, Betsey Hawkins.
The TEDx stage was hosted by four students — Gen Grason Kitaoka-Aurelius, Safar Sultan Al-Qahtani, Ayesha Asher and Virginia Brookshire — who offered humorous commentary in between the various speakers.
The event was attended by families and was also recorded for those unable to attend in person.
Senior Ahmed Faraz, who gave a talk on artificial intelligence in education, was the first speaker of the day. He felt it was a success — for him personally and for the entire school. “We’ve learned so much preparing over the course of a few months — I’m so proud of my school,” he told Arab News.
While nearing the end of his school journey, the 12th grader expressed admiration for the younger participants, noting that he could not have envisioned being able to do this TEDx talk earlier in his life. “Honestly, if I was their age, I would not step on that stage — I was not like them. My hat’s off to them,” Faraz added.
Seventh grader Yeon Elizabeth Kim, who initially joined the event to enhance her college application, spoke about her personal journey in Saudi Arabia from her native South Korea. “I felt really blessed to get the opportunity because I’m usually very quiet and introverted,” she shared with Arab News, adding that the event helped her build confidence.
Izabela Aquino Aniversario explained how overcoming challenges shaped her perspective. “Rejection is a universal experience and everyone should get to know the ‘good’ side of rejection,” she told Arab News, encouraging others to see failure as an opportunity for growth.
“When life gives you lemons, you make lemonade,” she said.
The event featured a wide variety of topics, with students offering unique insights and personal antidotes.
Other speakers included Haya Halaweh, who delved into the importance of valuing inner traits over physical appearance; Sarah Emad who addressed the impact of social media on relationships; Mohammed Hamza Jamsheed, who critiqued electric vehicles as a sustainable solution; and Maria Bassim reflected on the “art of procrastination.”
Omar Majdi Hamdaan spoke about the concept of “grit” and its power in overcoming challenges, while Zarmeena Awan encouraged the audience to chase their dreams with confidence.
Adam Elmorsy discussed the paradoxical nature of AI and Mohammed Mohid Alam Siddiqi’s talk was on how to prioritize mental health in the digital age.
Parents expressed pride in their children’s performances, with Faraz’s father saying: “The topic that he spoke about — I didn’t know about it ... it was great. It was a great journey.”
This TEDx event at ISG Dammam “reflects the school’s commitment to fostering creativity, leadership and critical thinking in its students,” the school said in a statement.
Students started prepping for their TEDx talk in May, putting in countless after-school hours to craft speeches that reflected their academic knowledge and personal experiences.
Principal Michael Schreider praised the students, telling Arab News that he could not wait for the next event.
“The kids worked very hard; it’s something that we just started last year for the first time, and everyone came together, worked very hard and made this happen,” he said.
Saudi doctor delivers moving speech on charitable healthcare at Riyadh forum
- Get out of your comfort zone, navigate, this is where success comes in with challenges, says Al-Hazzaa
RIYADH: A Saudi doctor shared the inspiring story of how she founded a startup that provides free AI-powered eye examinations to rural communities across the Kingdom.
Speaking on day two of the Creative Women Forum in Riyadh, Dr. Selwa Al-Hazzaa, CEO of SDM, said she set up the company with her son, now managing director, Naif Al-Obaidallah.
“I have yet to see a company out there where there is a mother and her son is the co-founder with her,” Al-Hazzaa said.
“If this tells you anything, it means that we believe in our children and our children believe in us.”
SDM, which partners with nonprofit organizations, uses AI technology to carry out mass detection of chronic diseases through the retina.
“I want to democratize healthcare. If you’re a VIP, if you are a janitor that sweeps, you should be able to have the same healthcare. This is what AI is doing. We are going to make it cheap, we are going to make it accessible,” Al-Hazzaa said.
“We have already done more than 25,000 free examinations. We don’t charge. We started with the Ministry of Health and went to the areas that are poor and highly populated and illiterate, and now I run 13 charity centers where they examine diabetics.”
Al-Hazzaa was formerly head of the ophthalmology department at the King Faisal Specialist Hospital in Riyadh, where she worked for 35 years. The decision to set up her own business came after a tragic incident involving a person with diabetes who went blind because of a delay to their treatment caused by hospital bureaucracy.
“This was frustrating to me, I wanted to see the patients when they were still raw, when they were just diagnosed with diabetes,” she said.
“This just kept bothering me. Can you imagine out of frustration I was able to reach where I am today, running one of the largest health tech startups?”
Al-Hazzaa told the audience not to be afraid to take chances in life.
“I cannot believe the risks and the challenges that I took,” she said. “Get out of your comfort zone, navigate, this is where success comes in with challenges.”
Al-Hazzaa was the late King Fahd’s personal ophthalmologist and in 2013 was part of the first cohort of women to be appointed to the Shoura Council, the Kingdom’s official advisory body.
Patron of the Creative Women Forum Princess Noura bint Saud spoke about Al-Hazzaa’s vision and courage.
“From day one, Dr. Selwa has been an inspiration to me, her journey pioneering and being a leader in what she does, her passion and grit and wanting the better for her people, her community and her country and not accepting a solution that was not the best solution,” she told Arab News.
“Her courageousness for going out at the peak of her career and joining the startup world and doing that at her level and how society sees it, I think that is amazing and it inspires me for what I do for the culture and creative sector, to not accept anything less than the best.”
The princess highlighted the importance of bringing distinguished female leaders such as Al-Hazzaa to speak about their experiences and successes at the forum.
“It’s very important for us to see real-life examples globally and as well from Saudi women making it in their own way, in their own field. There is so much power in that and it keeps us moving forward.”
Monique Blokzyl, founder and CEO of HeartPowered Business, which helps startups to grow, said of Al-Hazzaa’s speech: “I’m really blown away. It’s been amazing. This woman is such a legend already, making it a mission herself to democratize medical solutions and healing to everyone through the power of AI is absolutely amazing.”
Border Guards hold awareness exhibition in Al-Jouf
SAKAKA: The Saudi General Directorate of Border Guards in the Al-Jouf region has organized an awareness exhibition, called “A Nation Without Violators,” at the Cities Mall in Sakaka.
The event, which is being held until Oct. 13, is to help raise awareness about the importance of adhering to border security and residency laws, as well as reporting those violating the rules.
The exhibition is part of the Ministry of the Interior’s media and communication efforts and aims to inform the public about border security regulations and the penalties for those who facilitate the entry of border security law violators into the Kingdom, transport them within the country, provide shelter, or offer any form of assistance.
Separately, land patrols in Al-Raboah, Asir, have foiled an attempt to smuggle 85 kg of qat. Preliminary procedures have been completed and the seized narcotics handed to the authorities.
In addition, authorities in Al-Daer, Jazan, have arrested three Ethiopian border security violators for attempting to smuggle 240 kg of qat. Legal procedures have been initiated against them, and the seized items handed over to the authorities.
Madinah Dates Season empowers families in cottage industry
MADINAH: The Madinah Dates Season continues to empower families working in the cottage industry with workshops and seminars presented by industry experts.
These sessions aim to enhance skills in manufacturing and handicrafts related to the dates industry, providing valuable knowledge for participants to develop their projects.
Around 35 families have benefited from this training, the Saudi Press Agency reported recently.
The Madinah Dates Season will be held until the end of this year, featuring an exhibition, events, and competitions designed to elevate the industry through innovative and creative solutions.
Islamic affairs minister meets mosque staff in Baha region
AL-BAHA: Saudi Minister of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance Sheikh Abdullatif bin Abdulaziz Al-Sheikh met mosque staff in the city of Al-Baha on Wednesday.
The meeting at the Prince Sultan Cultural Center included imams, preachers and supervisors from the Al-Baha region and governorates.
Al-Sheikh stressed the leadership’s support for mosques to fulfill their mission and achieve the highest quality standards in services.
He said that the ministry had employed more than 60,000 staff, both males and females, across the Kingdom, while nearly 2,000 employees were hired to work in the ministry’s branch in Al-Baha’s region and its governorates.
