The campaigns, spearheaded by the Ebsar Foundation, aim to promote public awareness about eye health, encourage early detection of vision problems, and empower individuals with visual impairments to live independently and confidently.

Amal Al-Hunaiti, CEO of the Ebsar Foundation, emphasized that the organization is working tirelessly to educate the public on the importance of regular eye check-ups, preventive care, and early treatment.

“Our goal is not just to treat vision loss, but to foster understanding, compassion, and inclusion for those who are visually impaired,” she said, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

Empowering Families and Building Awareness

As part of its October initiatives, Ebsar launched a special training program for mothers of visually impaired children, recognizing their vital role in nurturing confidence, education, and independence among their children.

The program equips parents with the knowledge and tools needed to better understand visual disabilities and support their children’s personal development from an early age.

Al-Hunaiti highlighted that empowering families is a cornerstone of sustainable inclusion. “When parents are informed and supported, children grow up feeling capable and valued. This is the foundation of an inclusive society,” she said.

Inclusion Through Community Engagement

Beyond education, the foundation has organized recreational outings and public engagement events for young blind people across the Kingdom.

These activities aim to build community bonds while teaching the wider public how to interact respectfully and confidently with visually impaired individuals.

Such initiatives reflect Saudi Arabia’s broader vision of creating a society that welcomes all abilities, aligning with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 goals for social inclusion and accessibility.

Participants have described these experiences as both enjoyable and transformative.

Through sports, cultural visits, and community activities, blind youth gain a sense of belonging and empowerment, while the public learns to see beyond disability — focusing instead on talent, capability, and shared humanity.

Health Awareness and Global Engagement

In addition to community programs, Ebsar Foundation will represent Saudi Arabia at the Global Health Exhibition in Riyadh later this month.

This participation reaffirms the Kingdom’s growing role as a regional leader in eye health advocacy, promoting innovation, education, and access to quality care for all.

Experts at the foundation emphasize that most causes of blindness are preventable if detected early.

Conditions such as diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and cataracts can often be managed effectively with timely diagnosis and treatment. Ebsar’s campaigns encourage routine eye screenings, especially for older adults and individuals with chronic conditions.

Saudi Vision 2030 and Humanitarian Commitment

These awareness efforts align closely with the Vision 2030 National Transformation Program, which prioritizes the health, well-being, and inclusion of all citizens.

Through partnerships with government health authorities, schools, and non-profit organizations, Saudi Arabia is creating a more inclusive and health-conscious society where everyone — regardless of ability — can participate equally.

By highlighting the importance of both medical care and social integration, Ebsar Foundation’s initiatives reflect Saudi Arabia’s growing commitment to humanitarian progress and community solidarity.

The campaigns send a powerful message: sight is a gift worth protecting, and inclusion is a responsibility worth embracing.

As World Sight Day and White Cane Safety Day unfold, Saudi Arabia continues to shine as a beacon of awareness and compassion — ensuring that every citizen, regardless of visual ability, is seen, supported, and empowered to thrive.

This approval highlights the Kingdom’s commitment to advancing healthcare innovation and improving patient access to cutting-edge therapies.

The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) has approved Qalsody (Tofersen), marking a major step forward in treating adults with ALS linked to SOD1 gene mutations and expanding access to life-changing therapies in the Kingdom.

ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that targets nerve cells responsible for voluntary movement, gradually causing muscle weakness, loss of mobility, and significant impacts on daily life.

While the condition is rare, patients and families affected by SOD1-linked ALS face unique challenges due to the genetic mutation producing a defective SOD1 protein, which disrupts normal cellular processes by failing to eliminate toxic byproducts.

Qalsody represents a breakthrough in treating this rare condition through antisense therapy, a novel therapeutic approach that uses small nucleotide molecules designed to bind precisely to the mutated gene’s mRNA.

By targeting the defective SOD1 protein at its source, Qalsody helps reduce its production and accumulation in nerve cells, potentially slowing disease progression and providing new hope for patients.

The SFDA emphasized that the drug’s approval followed a thorough evaluation of its efficacy, safety, and quality. Clinical trials demonstrated that patients receiving Qalsody experienced reductions in critical indicators of nerve damage, including neurofilament light levels, compared with placebo-treated patients.

Additionally, the concentration of defective SOD1 protein in cerebrospinal fluid decreased, confirming that the drug effectively targets the disease’s molecular root. While long-term benefits are still being assessed, early findings indicate promising outcomes for adults living with SOD1-linked ALS.

In terms of safety, the most common side effects observed during clinical studies included muscle and joint pain, fatigue, injection site discomfort, fever, and elevated protein levels in cerebrospinal fluid, which were generally manageable.

The SFDA noted that ongoing monitoring will continue to ensure patient safety while maximizing therapeutic benefits.

The approval of Qalsody is part of the SFDA’s Orphan Drugs Program, a strategic initiative aimed at accelerating access to innovative therapies for rare and hard-to-treat diseases.

By facilitating the availability of these critical medications, the program addresses unmet medical needs and reinforces Saudi Arabia’s dedication to improving patient care for conditions affecting fewer than five in 10,000 people in the Kingdom.

Health experts hailed the move as a significant milestone in the Kingdom’s healthcare transformation. The approval aligns with the Health Sector Transformation Program, one of the key pillars of Vision 2030, which seeks to enhance the quality and accessibility of healthcare services nationwide.

By integrating advanced therapies such as Qalsody into clinical practice, Saudi Arabia continues to position itself as a regional leader in medical innovation and rare disease treatment.

“This is a major advancement for patients living with ALS in the Kingdom,” said an SFDA spokesperson. “The approval of Qalsody reflects our ongoing commitment to facilitating access to safe and effective treatments, particularly for rare diseases where options have been limited.”

Patient advocacy groups also welcomed the approval, noting that it brings renewed hope to families grappling with the challenges of ALS.

The introduction of targeted therapies such as Qalsody underscores the importance of investing in cutting-edge science and fostering collaboration between regulators, healthcare providers, and pharmaceutical innovators.

With Qalsody now registered in Saudi Arabia, patients with SOD1-linked ALS have access to a therapy that not only addresses the underlying genetic cause of their disease but also represents the Kingdom’s broader ambition to enhance healthcare quality, innovation, and accessibility in line with Vision 2030 goals.

The SFDA’s approval marks a historic step forward, emphasizing both scientific progress and the Kingdom’s patient-centered approach to healthcare.

Qalsody’s entry into the Saudi market highlights a new era of hope for adults living with ALS and reinforces the nation’s position at the forefront of rare disease treatment in the Middle East.

This groundbreaking procedure allows patients with complex blood disorders to access world-class treatment close to home, providing comfort and support from their families while receiving highly advanced care. KFSHRC emphasized that this achievement reflects the hospital’s commitment to offering innovative medical solutions in line with global healthcare standards.

The success of the transplant was made possible through the coordinated efforts of multidisciplinary teams, including clinical specialists, nurses, and laboratory experts. From the initial planning stages to the patient’s safe discharge, every step demonstrated precision, collaboration, and expertise, highlighting the hospital’s capability to perform some of the most sophisticated procedures in modern medicine.

Stem cell transplantation, widely regarded as one of the most complex treatments globally, involves replacing diseased bone marrow with healthy donor cells. It is a life-saving intervention for patients with leukemia, bone marrow failure, and severe immune disorders. By achieving this milestone, KFSHRC has positioned itself as a leading center for hematology and oncology care in the Middle East.

Operating with 400 beds, the Madinah facility offers specialized services across adult and pediatric oncology, ophthalmology, obstetrics, and gynecology. The hospital has also earned 14 accreditations in medical and nursing training, reflecting its commitment to maintaining the highest standards in healthcare education and practice.

KFSHRC’s reputation for excellence is recognized internationally. The hospital has been ranked first in the Middle East and Africa and 15th globally among the top 250 academic medical centers for 2025. This recognition underscores Saudi Arabia’s growing role as a hub for advanced medical research and specialized treatments.

“This milestone demonstrates Saudi Arabia’s dedication to advancing medical science and providing world-class healthcare for patients in the region,” a hospital spokesperson said. “By combining cutting-edge technology, expert teams, and patient-centered care, KFSHRC ensures that complex procedures can be performed safely and effectively.”

The successful stem cell transplant in Madinah is expected to inspire further advancements in hematology, oncology, and regenerative medicine across the Kingdom. It also reinforces the country’s Vision 2030 objective of elevating healthcare services to meet international standards and improve patient outcomes.

With this achievement, King Faisal Hospital continues to pave the way for innovative treatments in the Middle East, offering hope and life-changing care to patients with critical medical conditions while strengthening Saudi Arabia’s position in global medical research and healthcare excellence.