Saudi: Health Minister draws action plan to defeat MERS

April 23, 2014
Riyadh, Apr 23: Over 20 experts from abroad are scheduled to arrive in the Kingdom shortly to join discussions on how to contain the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) virus, said Labor Minister and Acting Health Minister Adel Fakeih on Tuesday.

MERS

“We will contact medical experts in the US, Europe and Asia and take advantage of their knowledge and expertise,” Fakeih told reporters after following up on the MERS situation at King Fahd Hospital in Jeddah merely a day after being appointed acting health minister.

He said a special committee has been set up to monitor and follow up on MERS situation in the Kingdom.

The panel, he said, is tasked with analyzing laboratory reports and contacting global pharmaceutical companies and health experts to produce anti-coronavirus vaccinations.

The minister held a meeting with top officials and experts following his visit to the hospital, which was attended by high-ranking officials from the Health Ministry and directors of emergency wards at Jeddah’s public hospitals.

“The ministry will coordinate with health care experts both inside and outside the Kingdom to analyze information and determine the potential risks arising from the epidemic,” said Fakeih.

He said the ministry would provide logistical support to hospitals to deal with the virus.

He promised that he would address the media in full transparency and provide them with comprehensive information about the disease. “We will announce additional measures taken to contain the coronavirus.”

The MERS death toll has climbed to 81 in Saudi Arabia.

A 73-year-old Saudi who suffered from chronic illnesses died in Riyadh and a compatriot diagnosed with the virus, aged 54, died in Jeddah, the ministry said late on Monday.

Meanwhile, Greece has recorded its first case of the potentially fatal respiratory disease, and the patient is in critical condition.

The Health Ministry says the 69-year-old Greek national fell sick in Saudi Arabia, where he lives.

Jordan’s Health Ministry has reported an additional laboratory-confirmed MERS case. A ministry official told Petra that the patient is a 25-year-old Saudi who was hospitalized in Saudi Arabia from April 10 to 15 after suffering from pneumonia. He is stable at a private hospital in Amman.

The virus doesn’t spread easily between people, and no cases have been observed related to crowds, in schools or at football stadiums.

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Agencies
April 26,2020

Riyadh, Apr 26: The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia has issued an order to partially lift the curfew in all regions of the Kingdom, to become from 9am to 5pm, starting Sunday through Wednesday May 13, while keeping a 24-hour curfew in the holy city of Makkah and in previously isolated neighbourhoods, state news agency (SPA) said early on Sunday.

The order also allowed the opening of some economic and commercial activities, which include wholesale and retail shops in addition to malls.

They can operate for two weeks, beginning on April 29 (Wednesday) until May 13 (Ramadan 6-20), however, certain shops within malls like beauty clinics, barber salons, gyms, cinemas, and restaurants will continue to be restricted from reopening.

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News Network
May 31,2020

Dubai, May 31: As many as 84 beggars have been arrested in Dubai during the Eid Al Fitr holiday, the Dubai Police have said.

The arrests were carried out as part of their anti-begging campaign to prevent begging during the holy month of Ramadan.

Some illegal vendors, too, have been arrested in different areas of the emirate, the police added.

Colonel Ali Salem, Director of the Infiltrators Department at the Criminal Investigations Department of Dubai Police, said that the campaign aims to maintain the safety and security of the society, adding that the campaign was successful and helped reduce the number of beggars across the emirate.

He called on the public to report begging activities to the number 901 or the Dubai Police app.

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News Network
July 18,2020

Dubai, July 18: An NRI student who passed away in Dubai shortly after shortly after attempting his Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) Grade 12 papers in March, has scored an impressive 91.4 per cent on his board examinations, including 100 in his media studies paper.

Ahmed Ziyad, a student of GEMS Our Own Indian School in Al Qouz, Dubai, died on March 19, suffered a heart condition called Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) that stopped him from being active in sporting activities.

Ziyad's parents, teachers, and classmates remember him as a very ambitious pupil, who wanted to launch his own business and achieve great things in his life. His board results are - mass media studies 100, Marketing 97, English 84, Entrepreneurship 82, and Home Science 94.
 
Ziyad's father, Shanavaz Manangath, a real estate professional who has been a resident of Dubai for over two decades said, "Six months ago, he had collapsed while playing with his friends. Since there was an irregularity in his heartbeat, he could not take part in any strenuous activities." He added, "Ziyad had just started playing with his friends on March 19 when he suddenly collapsed and died shortly after. My family has not been able to overcome his loss."

Unable to hold back his tears, an emotional Manangath said Ziyad wanted to do his BBA and launch his own business, "He was very ambitious. Honestly, I haven't looked into his board exam results, but, I know he had studied very hard for the exams."

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