RIYADH: The Cabinet was on Monday was briefed on the outcome of the meetings Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had during his visits to the UAE and Pakistan recently.
The Cabinet praised the efforts of the Coalition Forces in Yemen and King Salman Center for Relief and Humanitarian Aid for delivering medical and other aid to the besieged people of Taiz in Yemen.
On the local front, the ministers welcomed Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman’s directives to King Fahd National Library to carry out the mission entrusted to it in the service of readers and researchers.
The Cabinet approved several decisions including a basic agreement to exchange visits and cooperate on geospatial intelligence between the ministries of defense of Saudi Arabia and America.
The Cabinet authorized the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage to discuss a memorandum of understanding with China, which should include cooperation and exchange of knowledge on heritage and cultural issues.
The Cabinet agreed that the premises of the permanent committee of the Saudi Commercial Arbitration Center be at the Council of Saudi Chambers (CSC) instead of the Ministry of Justice, and that the board of the center be decided by the CSC in coordination with the permanent committee.
The Cabinet also approved the founding convention of the Asian Development Bank, focused on investing in infrastructure, which was signed in Beijing recently.
The Cabinet authorized the Ministry of Telecommunications and Information Technology to discuss and sign a memorandum of understanding with China. It also approved the decision of the 35th Supreme Council of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries in Doha to adopt a guide on city beautification.
The ministers approved the memorandum of understanding related to nuclear cooperation between King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy and the Ministry of Science, Information Technology, Telecoms and Future Planning of South Korea.
Cabinet briefed on outcomes of royal visits to UAE, Pakistan
Cabinet briefed on outcomes of royal visits to UAE, Pakistan
Rebuilding lives: Saudi initiative gives fresh hope to amputees
- Baitureh Health Association has provided life-changing support to more than 1,000 people
- Prosthetic limbs can cost up to $76,000
MAKKAH: The Baitureh Health Association for the Care of Amputees has quickly become one of Saudi Arabia’s most impactful humanitarian initiatives, transforming support for people with lost limbs.
Established in 2020, the association deals with people’s physical, psychological and social needs and fills a long-standing gap in the national health system.
CEO Badr bin Alyan told Arab News that the initiative was created in response to a growing need, driven by amputations linked to accidents, blood disorders, occupational injuries and other causes.
Its operations were “based on service integration rather than fragmentation, enabling beneficiaries to return to their lives with confidence, ability and independence,” he said.
This holistic process covers everything from initial evaluations to psychological and physical rehabilitation, family support, prosthetic fitting and ongoing maintenance.
Its psychological support programs include group sessions led by certified mentors who have undergone similar experiences, as well as field visits to support patients before and after amputation.
More than 1,000 people across the Kingdom have so far benefitted from the association’s work, about 10 percent of them children, whom Alyan said were “the most sensitive and the most in need of intensive psychological and family support.”
Its specialist programs for children — My First Step and Therapeutic Entertainment — help young people adapt to prosthetics, overcome trauma and build confidence in a safe and supportive setting.
The association has completed more than 300 prosthetic fittings, including silicone cosmetic limbs, mechanical, hydraulic, electronic and 3D-printed models.
Alyan said the type of prosthetic selected depended on a number of factors, such as age, lifestyle, type of amputation, activity level and psychological readiness.
Children also have to undergo frequent adjustments to their new limbs to account for their growth.
Each prosthetic cost between SR20,000 ($5,300) and SR285,000, Alyan said.
The association funds its work through sponsorships, community contributions and strategic partnerships.
Despite its success, Alyan said there were still challenges to be faced, including the lack of a consolidated base for the provision of psychological support and therapy services and prosthetics development and maintenance.
There was also a shortage of local experts, he said.
In response, the association set up a rehabilitation center, which Alyan said would help to localize prosthetics manufacturing, reduce costs and accelerate fitting processes and create opportunities for local experts to develop their knowledge and experience.
But providing prosthetics was only part of the association’s work, he said.
“Rebuilding a human life is the deeper goal.”
