Riyadh: Saudi Arabia will grant visas free of charge to foreign scientists and experts, in a move that primarily aims at improving its health sector, media reports said on Sunday.

 Secretary general of the Saudi Health Council Ahmed Al Aamiri praised the decision made by the cabinet last week, Xinhua reported.

Aamiri said the new visa policy was approved as part of various health initiatives suggested by the council to promote the health sector.

The new visa, which will be provided only to those who have proven their competency in different fields, is expected to attract top foreign experts who will take part in the research programmes in the kingdom.

The experts, especially health specialists, could contribute to the major steps the kingdom has been taking to implement various reforms.

 Notably, they will help Saudi deal with serious medical issues, including preventing the spread of contagious diseases such as the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) virus that caused many deaths since 2012.

  

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Thane (PTI): A 28-year-old woman died after falling off a crowded suburban local train during the morning rush hour in Maharashtra's Thane district on Saturday, the Government Railway Police (GRP) said.

The incident occurred around 8.10 am at the Badlapur railway station, an official from the Kalyan GRP said.

The victim, Chetana Devrukhkar, was attempting to board a moving train heading for Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) when she slipped and fell on the platform, senior inspector Pandhari Kande of the Kalyan GRP said.

He said that the deceased worked with a firm in Thane and was travelling to work.

A case of accidental death has been registered in connection with the incident.