Saudi Arabia: Relatives of Virus Victims in Health Sector to Be Compensated with 500,000 Riyals

Gulf

October 28th, 6:00am

Neom - Asharq Al-Awsat

King Salman chairs a cabinet meeting in Neom. (SPA)

The Saudi cabinet approved on Tuesday compensation for health worker relatives of victims of the novel coronavirus. Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz chaired the meeting that was held virtually in Neom. The cabinet said that 500,000 riyals in compensation will be granted to private and public sector health workers who are relatives of virus victims. The decision applies to military and civilian personnel alike and to Saudis and non-Saudis. The decision will be applied retroactively to when the first infection was detected in the Kingdom on March 2. The cabinet also hailed King Salman’s speech at the conclusion of the Women 20 (W20) G20 engagement group. The monarch underscored in his remarks that the G20, with Saudi Arabia at its helm, has proven its ability to lead global efforts and joint work to combat the pandemic and serve mankind. He underlined the importance of preparing for a promising economic future through comprehensive economic and social programs that guarantee the inclusion of women in decision-making. During his closing speech before the G20 Business 20 group, King Salman stressed the group’s committed to covering the financial deficit in the World Health Organization in its fight against the pandemic. The group has contributed 21 billion dollars towards the production of diagnostic tools, medicines and vaccines, ensuring that they will be provided to everyone that needs them. It also pumped 11 trillion dollars to protect the global economy amid the unprecedented health crisis. The cabinet also highlighted the speech by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, during the opening of the inaugural Global Artificial Intelligence Summit that was held in Riyadh last week. The royal stressed the Kingdom’s drive to become a global AI hub. The ministers also tackled the latest local and international developments related to the pandemic and the Kingdom’s contributions in global research to develop a vaccine. They noted that new infections were on the decline in Saudi Arabia, urging citizens and residents to continue to respect preventive measures as the world endures a second wave of the virus. The cabinet then reviewed the latest Arab, regional and international developments. It underscored the Kingdom’s speech before the 75th anniversary celebration of the formation of the United Nations. It stressed that it has and will continue to play the role of peace mediator, alongside the UN, in order to resolve various international conflicts and establish regional and international stability, development and peace. Acting Media Minister Dr. Majid al-Qasabi said Saudi Arabia hopes that last week’s ceasefire declaration between the warring Libyan parties will pave the way for a new chapter of security, peace and stability in the North African country. The ministers also reiterated the Kingdom’s rejection of any attempt to link Islam to terrorism, expressing its condemnation of the cartoons that are offensive of the Prophet Mohammed and to any of God’s messengers. It condemned all terrorist acts and practices that stoke hatred, violence and extremism, while underlining that intellectual freedom was a form of respect. Furthermore, the ministers voiced the Kingdom’s strong condemnation of the Iran-backed Houthi militias’ ongoing firing of armed drones towards Saudi territories.

from Asharq AL-awsat https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/2590766/saudi-arabia-relatives-virus-victims-health-sector-be-compensated-500000-riyals