MoPH, Partners Celebrate the Vital Role Nurses and Midwives Play in Qatars Healthcare Sector

Doha: In honour of International Day of the Midwife on the 5th of May and International Nurses Day on the 12th of May, the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) has joined together with Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) and Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) to recognise the invaluable contributions of Qatars skilled and diverse nursing and midwifery workforce.

Assistant Minister for Health Affairs of the Ministry of Public Health Dr. Salih Al Marri, highlighted the significance of these days, stating, “These international days provide a special opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the noble professions of nursing and midwifery, and appreciate the incredible dedication of the thousands of nurses and midwives in Qatar who play such an important role in providing high-quality care to patients across our healthcare sector.” Acting Chief Nursing Officer at HMC Mariam Al Mutawa, expressed her pride, noting, “For the first time, we are celebrating together the International Day of the Midwife and International N
urses Day to provide an opportunity to honour the remarkable contributions made by nurses here in Qatar and globally. Nursing offers one of the most fulfilling and dynamic career paths for both men and women. Beyond providing essential direct patient care, nurses are leaders, innovators, educators, and catalysts for change who can facilitate improved access to healthcare and achieve performance improvements. I am honoured to be a nurse leader and proud of the exceptional nurses and midwives I work with in Qatar.” Director of Nursing at PHCC Ebtesam Abdulla highlighted the critical role nurses play in primary health care, adding, “International Nurses and Midwives Day is a great occasion to acknowledge the vital role nurses play in primary health care. Here at PHCC, our nurses are the cornerstone of our system, providing compassionate, holistic care to our community. They are not just caregivers; they are advocates, educators, and health partners, ensuring the well-being of every individual they serve. They ar
e with our community at every step of their healthcare journey. Today, we honour and celebrate their unwavering dedication, professionalism, and the extraordinary impact they make in the lives of our patients and their families.” Through the Qatar Nurses Association, Qatar actively participates in the International Council of Nurses (ICN), a global federation representing approximately 28 million nurses worldwide across more than 130 national nursing associations. The Qatar Nurses Association encourages all nurses and midwives living and working in Qatar to participate and help promote the profile of nursing in Qatar.

Source: Qatar News Agency

First Edition of ‘Saudi Smash’ Championship 2024 Concludes


Jeddah: The Grand Smash 2024 World Table Tennis Championship, “Saudi Smash”, which was organized by the Saudi Table Tennis Federation, supervised by the Ministry of Sport, in cooperation with the World Table Tennis Organization (WTT), concluded today at the King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah.

Assistant Minister of Sports for Sports Affairs Adwaa Al-Arifi crowned the Chinese player Wang Chuqin, ranked first in the world, with the men’s singles title, after defeating Patrick Franziska of Germany, ranked 16th in the world, with a score of 4-2. Wang now holds the distinction of being the first player to achieve three titles in the same tournament.

Chinese player Meng Chen, ranked fourth in the world, also secured victory in the women’s singles title, after defeating the top-ranked player in the world, Yingsha Sun, with a score of 4-2. Meng Chen was presented with the championship cup by WTT Board Member Khalil Al-Muhannadi. With this triumph, Chen solidified her position in the world rankings, moving up from t
he runner-up position.

‘Saudi Smash’ is part of Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to promote the concept of sporting excellence and encourage a healthy lifestyle among citizens, while also showcasing the Kingdom’s capabilities in hosting major sporting events.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

KSrelief Pumps Over 1 Million Liters of Water in Yemen’s Hodeidah


Hodeidah, The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) has continued implementation of the water supply and environmental sanitation project in Al-Khawkhah district in Hodeidah governorate, Yemen.

During the period from April 3rd to April 9th, 2024, 644,000 liters of usable water were pumped, and 630,000 liters of potable water were pumped into the tanks. Additionally, 25 shifts worked to remove waste from camps housing displaced people. These services have benefitted 9,800 individuals.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs Hails UN General Assembly Vote in Favor of Palestinian Membership


Brussels, The European Union (EU), in a statement issued yesterday, acknowledged the result of the momentous vote at the UN General Assembly concerning Palestinian application for membership in the United Nations, where a majority of states voted in favor.

‘Palestine has received unequivocal support to have its permanent observer status enhanced with additional rights and privileges,’ said the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrell, who reaffirmed the EU’s longstanding commitment to a just and comprehensive resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, based on the two-state solution.

‘The EU will continue its strong support to Palestinian state building, and strengthening Palestinian institutions and their capacity in preparation for future statehood,’ Borrell added.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Tabuk Toyota Rally Ignites Passion for Motorsports in Young People


Tabuk, The Tabuk Toyota Rally Championship, currently held here at King Khalid Sports City, has transformed a dedicated space into a “motorsport discovery zone” brimming with activities, igniting passion for motorsports in youngsters through interactive exhibits.

The zone catered specifically to young attendees, offering a variety of experiences to fuel their curiosity.

Children could take the wheel of miniaturized rally vehicles at the Little Commander’s Corner, feeling the thrill of being in control. Interactive photography stations captured their excitement as they immersed themselves in the rally atmosphere.

A virtual reality (VR) area transported them to the heart of the race, providing an immersive electronic racing experience, while cinematic displays showcased the raw energy and drama of real-world rally racing, bringing the sport to life.

Youngsters had the opportunity to learn about the intricate components that make up high-performance rally vehicles, gaining a deeper understanding of the vehic
les that tackle these demanding courses.

By combining all these engaging experiences, this year’s Tabuk Toyota Rally went beyond mere entertainment for young audiences, fostering a new generation of motorsport enthusiasts, and sparking a passion that could one day see them competing in these very rallies.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Riyadh Authorities Take Action After Botulism Outbreak Linked to Mayonnaise Product


Riyadh: According to the Ministry of Municipal, Rural Affairs and Housing, the recent cases of food poisoning in Riyadh have been attributed by the Saudi Food and Drug Authority to mayonnaise served at the “Hamburgini” restaurant chain.

Laboratory analysis revealed the presence of the Clostridium botulinum bacteria, the cause of botulism, in a sample of “BON TUM” mayonnaise served at the said restaurant.

Responding swiftly, the ministry, in cooperation with the Food and Drug Authority and other relevant bodies, implemented a series of measures:

Product recall: The distribution of “BON TUM” mayonnaise has been halted nationwide. The product will be removed from markets and food establishments in all Saudi cities. Additionally, the factory producing the mayonnaise has been shut down pending legal action.

Product Destroyed: All remaining stock of the product at the factory, regardless of batch or expiration date, will be withdrawn and destroyed.

Customer Notification: The factory’s customers, particularly r
estaurants and food establishments, have been asked to destroy this type of mayonnaise in their possession.

Enhanced Monitoring: Regulatory agencies will intensify monitoring and inspection campaigns across the country. Municipal and relevant authorities will conduct targeted campaigns to ensure that all food products are safe to be consumed.

The ministry and concerned authorities urge the public to rely on official sources for information and avoid spreading rumors or unsubstantiated news.

Source: Saudi Press Agency