In a move reflecting the great attention the wise leadership pays to the health sector, and under the patronage of the Advisor to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, the Governor of Makkah Region, Prince Khalid Al-Faisal, the Deputy Governor of the region, Prince Saud bin Mishaal bin Abdulaziz, inaugurated a package of high-quality health projects in the Holy City and its governorates, with a total value exceeding one billion riyals. The inauguration ceremony was attended by the Minister of Health, Fahd Al-Jalajel, and the Mayor of Makkah, Musaed Al-Dawood, reflecting the integrated efforts between various government sectors.

Leading these projects is the inauguration of the Makkah General Hospital, a significant addition to the region's healthcare system with a 500-bed capacity. The hospital is equipped with state-of-the-art medical technology and offers vital specialties including cardiac surgery, pediatrics, and obstetrics and gynecology, in addition to advanced endoscopy and same-day surgery departments. This medical facility aims to accommodate the growing population of Makkah and provide world-class medical services.

The projects also included the inauguration of the 100-bed Al-Layth General Hospital, which comes in response to the needs of the residents of the governorate and its affiliated centers. This project will contribute to reducing the burden of travel for citizens to obtain advanced medical care, and will improve the efficiency of health services in remote areas, thus ensuring the equitable distribution of health services and facilitating access to them.

These projects are of paramount strategic importance given Mecca's status as the Qibla for Muslims. The services provided by these facilities extend beyond citizens and residents to include the millions of pilgrims and Umrah performers who flock to the Holy City annually. Strengthening the healthcare infrastructure is a fundamental part of the Kingdom's preparations to increase the capacity for pilgrims and ensure their health and safety during their rituals, a cornerstone of the region's strategic planning.

These accelerated steps align with the objectives of the Health Sector Transformation Program, one of the programs under the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which aims to restructure the health sector into a comprehensive, efficient, and integrated healthcare system. The Vision focuses on promoting public health and disease prevention, and improving access to healthcare services through infrastructure expansion and digital transformation, thereby contributing to a higher quality of life and building a vibrant society where all members enjoy good health.

In conclusion, these projects are expected to bring about a qualitative shift in health performance indicators in the Makkah region, by reducing waiting times for surgeries and outpatient clinics, and providing precise specialized care that previously required transferring patients to other regions, which confirms the state’s commitment to harnessing all capabilities to serve and develop humanity.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is witnessing a historic transformation in its security sector, with Saudi women playing a growing and active role within the various departments of the Ministry of Interior. This presence is no longer merely symbolic; it has become a fundamental pillar that enhances the efficiency of security operations and contributes to protecting lives and property, demonstrating their competence in shouldering significant responsibilities, both in the field and behind administrative and technical desks.

Empowerment stems from an ambitious vision

This qualitative empowerment comes as a culmination of the goals of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which has opened broad horizons for Saudi women to participate in national development, including the military and security sectors. Whereas previously their roles were limited to specific areas, female personnel are now an integral part of the Ministry of Interior's strategic plans, reflecting the leadership's confidence in the capabilities of the nation's daughters to protect its resources and contribute to building its secure future.

A review of achievements at the International Defence Exhibition 2026

To highlight these efforts, the Ministry of Interior is preparing to showcase its pioneering experience in empowering women in security roles to visitors of the International Defense Exhibition 2026, scheduled to take place from February 8 to 12 at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center in Malham. The Ministry will highlight women's contributions to maintaining security, enhancing public safety, and protecting the environment, in addition to their vital role in supporting security operations rooms and participating in international and regional conferences and events.

A pivotal role in serving the guests of God

One of the most prominent areas where female security personnel have excelled is during the Hajj and Umrah seasons. The Ministry has strengthened the participation of its female staff in serving pilgrims through various tasks, including organization, field monitoring, translation to serve pilgrims of different nationalities, and receiving reports. Female personnel also actively participate in preparing operational plans and inspecting preventative safety requirements in facilities, contributing to improved efficiency and readiness for rapid response to emergencies and minimizing risks in the holy sites.

Efficiency in outlets and digital transformation

Women's roles have not been limited to traditional field work. Female personnel have set a distinguished example in facilitating procedures at land, air, and sea ports, reflecting the Kingdom's civilized image to visitors. On the technical and professional front, women have engaged in sensitive tasks such as combating crime, working in environmental security, and restoring and processing documents. They also contribute effectively to digital transformation initiatives by developing electronic services, analyzing data, and building indicators, thus strengthening the smart infrastructure of the Kingdom's security system.

As part of its ongoing efforts to enhance the efficiency of water resources and preserve national gains, the Saudi Water Authority has issued an important invitation to all beneficiaries, citizens and residents, urging them to immediately report any water leaks detected in public places or residential neighborhoods.

The importance of early reporting and its role in protecting resources

The authority affirmed that intensifying monitoring and awareness efforts stems from its strategy to reduce water loss, as leaks are a major cause of wasting precious natural resources for which the state spends enormous budgets to procure, desalinate, and transport. It explained that early reporting not only saves water but also directly contributes to expediting treatment procedures by service providers, thus reducing the exorbitant operational costs resulting from delayed repairs.

Environmental, health and economic impacts

The damage caused by water leaks extends beyond the economic sphere to include negative impacts on public health and the urban environment. The authority indicated that stagnant water resulting from leaks creates a breeding ground for insects and mosquitoes, posing a threat to public health. Furthermore, these leaks are a form of visual pollution that the Kingdom is striving to eliminate as part of its urban landscape improvement initiatives.

On the infrastructure front, the continued flow of water in the streets leads to the erosion of asphalt layers and damage to road foundations and public facilities, requiring costly maintenance work and hindering traffic. This makes rapid reporting a national responsibility that contributes to the protection of public property.

Strategic partnerships to improve quality of life

In a related context, the authority indicated that its field inspection teams are continuing their work intensively in cooperation and coordination with the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing, as well as the "More Beautiful Cities" committee, which supports efforts to address visual pollution. These partnerships aim to monitor practices that violate regulations, most notably leaving leaks unrepaired for extended periods, excessive water use for washing sidewalks and vehicles, and the discharge of excess water into public streets.

Procedures and communication channels

The Saudi Water Authority emphasized that it will not hesitate to apply the legal procedures against violators in accordance with the Water Law and its implementing regulations. These decisive steps are aimed at ensuring compliance with environmental standards and preserving water resources for future generations, in line with the goals of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 to achieve environmental sustainability and improve the quality of life in Saudi cities.

The authority called on everyone to cooperate and report any observations or violations related to water leaks easily and conveniently through the official approved channels, which include the authority’s website or through the “Baladi” application available on smartphones, stressing that the citizen is the first partner in the success of these national efforts.