The Sultan bin Abdulaziz Humanitarian City (SAHC) announced Tuesday its intention to take stem cell transplantation to new heights by using the method to cure spinal cord injuries.
The announcement was made by Prince Khaled bin Sultan, chairman of the Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud Foundation (SAAF), during the international spinal cord injury conference 2014, which kicked off at the SAHC headquarters on Tuesday.
The theme of the conference, which ends on Thursday, is “Toward a Better Quality of Life.” The conference, first introduced in Australia and New Zealand, is being held for the first time in the Middle East.
The technology, in collaboration with the US-based University of Miami, will revolutionize the scope of paralysis surgery in the Kingdom, making it a leader in the field.
An accord on collaboration between the SAHC and the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis (MPCP), the first center in the US to receive approval from the supervisory board of the Food and Drug Administration for stem cell therapy, was also signed.
Prince Khaled said that the transfer of this technology comes amid efforts to help families cope with the life-changing effects of spinal cord injuries.
Prince Khaled said many people between the ages of 16 and 22 suffer such debilitating injuries.
“The MPCP works on several research and rehabilitation programs in the field of spinal cord and traumatic brain injury,” he said. “The transfer of this technology to the SAHC will make Saudi Arabia one of the first countries in the region to benefit from the revolutionary treatment of spinal cord injury through stem cell research.”
SAHC Executive President Abdullah Zarah said the conference would address the latest findings of modern science in the field of spinal cord injury and stem cell transplantation.
Around 1,500 Saudis are afflicted with spinal cord injuries every year due to accidents.
Rizman Hamid, a senior neurology lecturer at University College London, told Arab News that being afflicted with this type of injury is a lifelong condition.
“Such critical ailments require follow-up, with radiological investigation to optimize bladder function. Patients should undergo regular investigation as a means of detecting potential problems in the bladder, which can lead to kidney damage,” he said.
He added that another major problem resulting from spinal cord injuries, especially among women, is urinary incontinence, which has severe and adverse effects on patients.
“This condition can be cured through a procedure known as the ‘transobtruator tape.’ This is a minimally invasive procedure that has good long-term results,” he said.
Firas Sirhan, director of the Center of Excellence for Telehealth and Assisted Living (CETAL) at Buckinghamshire New University in Middlesex, England, said that the use of technology and health care practice is becoming more visible in the treatment and management of spinal cord injuries.
“Telehealth represents an entirely new way of managing injury that does not easily fit within existing health care frameworks,” he said. “The use of the telehealth model has contributed to empowering patients to become more involved in the self-management of their condition. Telehealth could be an effective tool that contributes to allowing health care professionals, as well as patients, to recognize and identify any changes in medical conditions.
He added that the center can assist in developing packages that combine tested clinical service models with assessed technology to present workable telehealth services based on specific needs.
Stem cell technology to cure spinal cordv injuries introduced in KSA
Stem cell technology to cure spinal cordv injuries introduced in KSA
Project to save Historic Jeddah buildings completed thanks to SR50m from Saudi crown prince
- The work on the ‘architecturally important’ structures was carried out as part of the Ministry of Culture’s Historic Jeddah restoration program
- Many buildings and sites in the district are being restored to help preserve and illustrate the history of the Hajj since the dawn of Islam
RIYADH: Several historic buildings in Jeddah that were on the verge of collapse have been saved thanks to a Ministry of Culture project personally funded by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Thursday.
The ministry said the work on the “architecturally important” structures was carried out as part of its Historic Jeddah restoration program. The funding for the project included a personal donation of SR50 million ($13.3 million) from the crown prince, officials said.
The Historic Jeddah district contains more than 600 buildings, including 36 mosques, as well as five marketplace sites, ancient squares, and other locations of historical importance, such as the Waterfront, that were vital stopping-off points for Muslim pilgrims in days gone by. Many are being restored and renovated to help preserve and illustrate the history of the Hajj since the dawn of Islam.
Based on directives from the crown prince, the restoration work was carried out by five specialist companies based in Saudi Arabia, officials said, under the supervision of technicians experienced in the preservation of historic buildings. Special care was taken to maintain the unique design and distinctive urban characteristics of the district, they added.
Some of the buildings that were saved, which belong to Jeddah families, have archaeological features dating back as far as 500 years.
Saudi Arabia to be guest of honor at Beijing Book Fair
BEIJING: The Saudi Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission and the China National Publications Import and Export Group Corporation have signed a contract to host Saudi Arabia as the guest of honor at the Beijing International Book Fair, to be held this year between June 19 and 23 in the Chinese capital.
The signing ceremony was attended by Saudi Minister of Culture Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan, Literature, Publishing, and Translation Commission CEO Dr. Mohammed Hasan Alwan, and officials from the Chinese side.
Saudi participation in the fair is astep toward strengthening cultural exchange, boosting cooperation in literature, culture, and the arts, and promoting dialogue and boosting friendship and cooperation between the two countries.
Several other Saudi entities will participate in the fair to highlight the heritage, knowledge, and cultural diversity of the Kingdom through a diverse cultural program, including seminars, dialogue sessions, workshops, and artistic performances.
The Kingdom was the guest of honor at the New Delhi International Book Fair, held between Feb. 10 and 18; and will be the guest of honor, after Beijing, at the Seoul International Book Fair, from June 26 to 30, 2024.
Saudi Green Initiative in Makkah aims to promote sustainable development, afforestation
RIYADH: The State Properties General Authority has provided the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, and the Alahyaa Centers Association with seedlings produced at its agricultural nursery in Makkah.
The contribution is part of the authority’s efforts to support sustainable development and afforestation while upgrading the vegetation cover, and took place on Saudi Green Initiative Day on March 27.
Schemes include building and operating an agricultural nursery and equipping it with the newest systems to enhance production capacity and create an enabling environment for plant growth.
The project has led to the creation of 110,000 square meters of green spaces within the authority’s government compounds in Makkah, in addition to the distribution of plants, large trees and shrubs to more than 40 government entities.
The authority said that the nursery’s annual production includes 1.2 million plants that bloom in winter and in summer; 200,000 perennials and vines; 20,000 outdoor trees; 30,000 shrubs; and 5,000 indoor plants.
Saudi, Azerbaijani ministers discussed climate action cooperation
Saudi Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman met in Jeddah Mukhtar Babayev, Azerbaijan’s minister of ecology and natural resources, and also president of the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN’s Framework Convention on Climate Change.
The COP29 Conference takes place in November in Baku, Azerbaijan.
The two ministers discussed opportunities for cooperation in the field of climate action. They also spoke about working together to achieve the goals and principles of the UN’s Framework Convention on Climate Change, and the Paris Agreement.
The parties also looked at the Kingdom’s efforts and initiatives to address the effects of climate change.
Saudi Arabia announces cultural cooperation award with China
- The Prince Mohammed bin Salman Award for Cultural Cooperation culminate in an annual ceremony honoring the two countries’ shared cultural talent
RIYADH: The Saudi Ministry of Culture announced on Thursday the launch of the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Award for Cultural Cooperation between Saudi Arabia and China, at the King Abdulaziz Public Library branch in Beijing, Saudi Press Agency reported.
This award aims to acknowledge the efforts of researchers, artists and translators from both countries, offering grants to support their continuing work. It is designed to spur enhanced collaboration and shared creative efforts.
The award includes several categories — cultural research and studies, artistic and creative works, translations, and a cultural personality of the year from each country, recognizing significant contributions to culture.
Additional categories target young researchers, creators and translators, encouraging youth engagement in cross-cultural communication. An annual ceremony will highlight the cultural achievements and award winners.
The award will promote creative cooperation and cultural dialogue between Saudi Arabia and China by highlighting the two countries’ achievements in the academic, cultural, media, literary and artistic communities.
It will culminate in an annual ceremony honoring the two countries’ shared cultural talent and announcing the winners in each category.
Saudi Culture Minister Prince Bader bin Abdullah said that the award was a critical component in bridging cultural divides and strengthening ties between China and Saudi Arabia through the arts, literature and academic research.
Individuals from Saudi Arabia and China, as well as government, private and non-profit institutions, may submit nominations. They can be submitted by filling out the nomination form, which will be posted on the award website.
On the same day, the Saudi Film Commission, a government body under the culture ministry, signed a framework memorandum of understanding with China’s Bona Film Group to explore collaborative opportunities in movie distribution, exhibition and talent development.
Bona Film Group, founded in 1999, has emerged as one of China’s leading movie distribution and production companies.
The signing ceremony in Beijing was attended by Prince Badr, Film Commission CEO Abdullah Al-Eyaf, and Bona Film Group CFO Qi Zhi.
The MoU outlines key areas of cooperation, such as investment in the film industry, the possibility of establishing a joint film fund dedicated to cinematic endeavors, and collaboration on Saudi film distribution in China. It also looks into talent development opportunities for Saudi filmmakers through Bona Film Group productions and Chinese film education institutions.
In accordance with this agreement, the Film Commission intends to develop the movie industry, improve local production and showcase Saudi productions. The commission also promotes investment, content production, talent development and regulatory frameworks.
The historic agreement reflects the commission’s commitment to fostering global partnerships and leveraging cultural exchanges as a key component of Saudi Vision 2030 objectives.