عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Gulf

Saudi Arabia Launches ‘Health Passport’

Health Minister Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah reveals the 'health passport' service. (SPA)
Health Minister Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah reveals the 'health passport' service. (SPA)
TT
20
TT

Saudi Arabia Launches ‘Health Passport’

Health Minister Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah reveals the 'health passport' service. (SPA)
Health Minister Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah reveals the 'health passport' service. (SPA)

Saudi Arabia launched on Thursday the “health passport” service through the Tawakkalna app.

The app was approved by the Saudi Ministry of Health to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus.

The service confirms that an individual has received all doses of the virus vaccine and was therefore “immune” from it.

The move is a significant step by Saudi authorities in protecting lives, said Health Minister spokesman Dr. Mohammed Abdelali.

Health Minister Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah and head of the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) Dr. Abdullah Al-Ghamdi oversaw the launch of the service.

Al-Rabiah received on Thursday the second jab of the vaccine, hailing the keenness of the Saudi leadership in providing the shots in the Kingdom and its people and residents in record time.

This has made Saudi Arabia among the top countries in fighting the pandemic, he stressed.

Work is underway to open more vaccination stations so that they will be available throughout the country, he revealed.

Over 137,000 people have received the vaccine. Over a million people are registered to receive the shot during the first phase of inoculation.

Saudi Arabia reported on Thursday 108 new infections, taking its total to 363,485. It confirmed 138 more recoveries and six new deaths.

Most Viewed

 
Gulf

Oman Warns of Escalation Risk, Qatar Pushes to Revive Talks

Qatar’s Emir receives written message from Iran’s President Pezeshkian. Photo: QNA
Qatar’s Emir receives written message from Iran’s President Pezeshkian. Photo: QNA
TT
20
TT

Oman Warns of Escalation Risk, Qatar Pushes to Revive Talks

Qatar’s Emir receives written message from Iran’s President Pezeshkian. Photo: QNA
Qatar’s Emir receives written message from Iran’s President Pezeshkian. Photo: QNA

Oman warned on Wednesday against the growing military escalation between Israel and Iran and stepped up its diplomatic efforts to shield the region from the risk of a broader conflict.

Qatar, also intensifying its mediation, said it was working with regional and international partners to end the Israeli-Iranian confrontation. This came as Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani received a written message from Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian.

According to the Qatari state news agency, the letter focused on bilateral relations and ways to enhance them.

On Tuesday, Majed Al Ansari, spokesperson for the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs and advisor to the Prime Minister, said Doha was in constant contact with friends and partners in and outside the region to help end the escalating conflict.

“Qatar is engaging all parties to narrow differences and reach a scenario that puts an end to this dangerous escalation,” he said.

Al Ansari added that Qatar was working closely with regional and international actors to revive negotiations and de-escalate tensions to prevent the region from sliding into a potentially devastating war.

He said the Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister had spoken with several international officials in recent days, voicing strong condemnation of Israel’s repeated violations and attacks, which he said undermine efforts to achieve peace.

Al Ansari stressed the urgent need for collective regional and global action to reduce tensions and resolve disputes through diplomacy.

In Muscat, the Omani Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi held talks with his Arab counterparts and key international partners, including EU foreign policy chief and European Commission Vice-President Kaja Kallas.

According to Omani sources, the discussions focused on tackling rising regional tensions triggered by Israel’s pre-emptive strikes on Iran and Tehran’s subsequent response, part of a broader crisis that has been intensifying since early Friday.

The talks also addressed the need to align international positions, increase political and legal pressure to halt Israeli attacks, and push for comprehensive negotiations aimed at restoring stability and averting further military escalation.

Al Busaidi urged an immediate end to what he called a “tragic war threatening regional security” and called for heightened diplomatic pressure to revive a political solution.