Saudi center sets Guinness World Record for diabetes awareness

Al-Jalajel highlighted the ministry’s commitment to monitoring chronic diseases (SPA)
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Updated 07 January 2024
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Saudi center sets Guinness World Record for diabetes awareness

  • Health minister in Al-Ahsa receives certificate for largest diabetes education gathering

Riyadh: Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Health Fahad Al-Jalajel received a Guinness World Record certificate for the Diabeter Center in Al-Ahsa, which specializes in treating Type 1 diabetes patients.

The center achieved the record for the largest simultaneous human gathering for diabetes awareness and education, bringing together 752 people, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.

The minister praised the efforts of the Al-Ahsa Health Cluster, which aligns with the ministry’s strategy to reduce the spread of chronic diseases, provide treatment and minimize health complications.

Al-Jalajel highlighted the ministry’s commitment to monitoring chronic diseases, working to reduce their rates, disabilities and fatalities, and enhancing the quality of healthcare services.

Al-Ahsa Health Cluster’s activation of the Chronic Disease Control Program has achieved success in disease management.

The scheme also includes the Health Coach program, Case Coordinator program, the launch of patient monitoring applications, as well as comprehensive training for 123 specialized medical team members.

This has resulted in a significant increase in the percentage of patients with controlled diabetes, rising from 37 percent in 2021 to 70 percent in 2023.

Since its establishment in January 2020, the Diabeter Center, affiliated with the Al-Ahsa Health Cluster, has recorded outstanding results.

These include a 100 percent improvement in blood sugar levels and quality of life for patients, along with a 100 percent increase in patient satisfaction.

The center also recorded a reduction in the hospitalization rate for children to 1 percent, compared with the global average of 8 percent.

The success of the center has been attributed to its highly competent medical team consisting of about 14 people.


Saudi Film Festival to return in April with focus on Korean cinema

Since its launch in 2008, the Saudi Film Festival has played a central role in nurturing local and Gulf cinema. (Supplied)
Updated 15 February 2026
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Saudi Film Festival to return in April with focus on Korean cinema

  • Ahmed Al-Mulla, founder and director of the Saudi Film Festival, said in a statement: “We’re excited to welcome filmmakers to our annual gathering. Our doors are open to all creators, and filmmakers remain at the heart of everything we do

DHAHRAN: The Saudi Film Festival, organized by the Cinema Association in partnership with the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture and supported by the Saudi Film Commission, has announced that it will launch at Ithra in Dhahran between April 23-29.

This year’s festival explores the theme of “Cinema of the Journey,” presenting a selection of Arab and international films, both short and feature-length, that center on journeys and movement as essential storytelling elements. 

Since its launch in 2008, the Saudi Film Festival has played a central role in nurturing local and Gulf cinema. (Supplied)

The program includes road movies, travel narratives and films where physical or emotional journeys drive the narrative.

The theme encourages Saudi filmmakers to explore this subject through their own perspectives. It positions cinema itself as an act of continuous transition, where identity, place, and time converge to shape the human experience.

FASTFACTS

• This year’s Saudi Film Festival will explore the theme of ‘Cinema of the Journey,’ presenting a selection of Arab and international films that center on journeys and movement as essential storytelling elements.

• The program includes road movies, travel narratives and films where physical or emotional journeys drive the narrative.

Following last year’s focus on Japanese cinema, the festival will present a special “Spotlight on Korean Cinema” this year.

Ahmed Al-Mulla, founder and director of the Saudi Film Festival, said in a statement: “We’re excited to welcome filmmakers to our annual gathering. Our doors are open to all creators, and filmmakers remain at the heart of everything we do. This year’s festival creates an atmosphere filled with inspiration, idea exchange, and shared learning. It’s a celebration of cinematic creativity for everyone.”

Tariq Al-Khawaji, deputy director of the festival, added: “At Ithra, we’re proud of our longstanding partnership with the Cinema Association. It has enabled the festival’s growth and thematic diversity year after year, which we see clearly in how we empower filmmakers and create opportunities to engage with global cinema. 

“The festival continues to grow across all areas, from preparations and participation to industry expectations locally and regionally. That makes attention to every detail essential.”

Since its launch in 2008, the Saudi Film Festival has played a central role in nurturing local and Gulf cinema. After intermittent early editions, it has now established itself as an annual platform for narrative and documentary competitions, industry programs and project markets.

By bringing together emerging and established filmmakers in Dhahran each year, the festival strengthens Saudi Arabia’s growing presence on the global film stage.