Saudi center’s robotic liver study earns recognition

Saudi center’s robotic liver study earns recognition
The study presents the world’s first series of fully robotic recipient liver transplants from living donors. (SPA)
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Updated 14 January 2025

Saudi center’s robotic liver study earns recognition

Saudi center’s robotic liver study earns recognition
  • Prof. Dieter Broering, executive director of the Organ Transplant Centre of Excellence in Riyadh, led the study
  • In 2024, Prof. Broering performed the world’s first fully robotic left lobe liver transplant

RIYADH: King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center has earned recognition for its study on fully robotic liver transplants, named one of the Top 10 Most Impactful Papers of 2024 by the American Society of Transplantation.

The study presents the world’s first series of fully robotic recipient liver transplants from living donors.

The paper, “Outcomes of Fully Robotic Recipient Living Donor Liver Transplant about the Open Approach,” highlighted improvements in robot-assisted liver transplants, including reduced blood loss, shorter hospital stays, and better cosmetic outcomes compared with traditional surgery, without increasing complication rates.

Prof. Dieter Broering, executive director of the Organ Transplant Centre of Excellence in Riyadh, led the study. In 2024, he also performed the world’s first fully robotic left lobe liver transplant.

Broering said that this achievement demonstrates the potential of robotic transplant surgeries, particularly for high-risk procedures, and underscores our commitment to safer, faster and more effective patient outcomes.

The study was published in the Transplantation Journal, a leading platform for transplant research.

The center has been ranked first in the Middle East and Africa and 20th globally in the top 250 academic medical centers for the second consecutive year and was recognized as the most valuable healthcare brand in the region by the 2024 Brand Finance rankings. Additionally, it was included in the 2025 World’s Best Smart Hospitals list by Newsweek magazine.


Riyadh mayor launches municipal transformation program

Prince Faisal bin Abdulaziz bin Ayyaf, Riyadh Mayor. (SPA)
Prince Faisal bin Abdulaziz bin Ayyaf, Riyadh Mayor. (SPA)
Updated 04 October 2025

Riyadh mayor launches municipal transformation program

Prince Faisal bin Abdulaziz bin Ayyaf, Riyadh Mayor. (SPA)
  • The aim of the program is to improve the efficiency of city operations — raising the quality of services provided to beneficiaries — and align them with the needs of residents and the particularities of each geographic sector of the Saudi capital

RIYADH: Riyadh Mayor Prince Faisal bin Abdulaziz bin Ayyaf has launched the Riyadh Municipal Transformation Program, which aims to keep pace with the rapid growth witnessed by the capital, in response to the city’s needs and in a manner befitting its global status.

The program is intended to ensure the ability to provide services that match the scale of existing and future projects, as well as the global events that Riyadh will be hosting in the coming years.

The aim of the program is to improve the efficiency of city operations — raising the quality of services provided to beneficiaries — and align them with the needs of residents and the particularities of each geographic sector of the Saudi capital.

This will be achieved by transforming all of Riyadh’s 16 sub-municipalities into five sectors tasked with providing both direct and indirect municipal services.

 


marks World Animal Day

 marks World Animal Day
Updated 04 October 2025

marks World Animal Day

 marks World Animal Day
  • The society coordinates with regional and international associations, trains interested parties, consults with government and private agencies to overcome obstacles, and represents the Kingdom in international animal welfare forums

JEDDAH: marked World Animal Day, observed annually on Oct. 4, to raise awareness about animal protection and care while intensifying efforts to advance global animal welfare standards.

The Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture leads the Kingdom’s efforts by organizing exhibitions and events for all segments of society, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

It aims to strengthen communication with stakeholders and support veterinary facilities.

The Saudi Animal Welfare Society, also known as Refq, complements these efforts by promoting a culture of animal welfare in line with Islamic teachings, working to reduce the spread of stray animals through scientific principles, providing treatment and shelter, facilitating re-adoption, and curbing poaching, the SPA reported.

The society also coordinates with regional and international associations, trains interested parties, consults with government and private agencies to overcome obstacles, and represents the Kingdom in international animal welfare forums.

 


Math competition seeks to discover ’s best young brains

Children from private and public schools can apply and the registration process will remain open until Nov. 9. (SPA)
Children from private and public schools can apply and the registration process will remain open until Nov. 9. (SPA)
Updated 04 October 2025

Math competition seeks to discover ’s best young brains

Children from private and public schools can apply and the registration process will remain open until Nov. 9. (SPA)
  • Youngsters will have the chance to win prizes and take part in a summer math camp to be hosted next year by KAUST and the University of Cambridge in the UK

JEDDAH: King Abdullah University of Science and Technology has launched a competition to find the most talented middle and high school students in mathematics.

Youngsters will have the chance to win prizes and take part in a summer math camp to be hosted next year by KAUST and the University of Cambridge in the UK.

The competition adheres to international standards for algebra, geometry, combinatorics and number theory and provides a pathway to KAUST's pre-university academic programs.

Children from private and public schools can apply and the registration process will remain open until Nov. 9. The preliminary rounds will take place in several cities on Dec. 13, with the final to be held at KAUST from April 3-5 next year.

Further information is available from the KAUST website.

 


GCC secretary general praises region’s health care system

GCC secretary general praises region’s health care system
Updated 04 October 2025

GCC secretary general praises region’s health care system

GCC secretary general praises region’s health care system
  • Albudaiwi highlighted advances in disease prevention, workforce training and medical services, saying the region now surpasses global averages in health indices

RIYADH: Jasem Albudaiwi, secretary-general of the Gulf Cooperation Council, praised the progress of the region’s health system at the 11th meeting of the Committee of GCC Health Ministers chaired by president of the session Ahmed Al-Awadhi, Kuwaiti minister of health, in Kuwait on Saturday.

Albudaiwi highlighted advances in disease prevention, workforce training and medical services, saying the region now surpasses global averages in health indices, according to a report by the General Secretariat.

“The GCC countries are working in partnership with the World Health Organization on the project to accredit the Healthy Cities Program, which seeks to achieve the highest level of health and well-being in sustainable and socially effective cities,” he said.

 


Hail camel auction sales top $1.5m

Hail camel auction sales top $1.5m
Updated 04 October 2025

Hail camel auction sales top $1.5m

Hail camel auction sales top $1.5m
  • The 10-day event also gives visitors the chance to enjoy a range of cultural and social activities

RIYADH: Sales at an auction in Hail for rare and distinctive camel breeds topped SR5.7 million ($1.5 million) in its opening week, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The event, in Al-Qaid, on the outskirts of the northern city, is one of the largest of its kind in the region and provides an important boost to the local economy.

The 10-day event also gives visitors the chance to enjoy a range of cultural and social activities.

Camel breeding is a revered tradition in the Kingdom and while the animals were once vital for people’s survival, today they are more valued for their sporting prowess.

The finest racing camels can fetch huge sums at auction. The value of sales in the preliminary round of the 2023 Crown Prince Camel Festival topped SR3 billion.

One of the most expensive camels ever sold was bought by Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashed al-Maktoum in 2008 for more than $2.7 million, the WAM news agency reported.