Saudi Arabia’s ageing King Salman, 88, has entered the hospital for “routine examinations”, according to a rare public statement from the Royal Court on Wednesday.
The tests are being conducted at King Faisal Specialist Hospital in Jeddah, along the Red Sea coast, and are expected to last “a few hours”, as reported by the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
King Salman ascended the throne in 2015, though his son, 38-year-old Mohammed bin Salman, was named crown prince in 2017 and serves as the day-to-day ruler.
State media recently showed footage of King Salman attending a weekly cabinet meeting, demonstrating his active engagement in government affairs.
This hospital visit isn’t the first for King Salman; nearly two years ago, in May 2022, he underwent a colonoscopy and spent just over a week in the same Jeddah hospital for additional tests and “some time to rest”, as reported by SPA at the time.
Over the years, Saudi Arabia, the world’s leading crude exporter, has worked to dispel speculation surrounding King Salman’s health.
In 2017, the Gulf kingdom dismissed reports and growing speculation about the king’s potential abdication in favor of Prince Mohammed.
King Salman has a history of medical procedures, including gall bladder surgery in 2020.
Earlier in March 2022, he was admitted to undergo “successful medical tests” and to replace the battery in his pacemaker.
Having served as Riyadh governor for decades and previously as defence minister, King Salman’s reign has been characterized by ambitious social and economic reforms, largely spearheaded by his son.
Mohammed bin Salman is steering Saudi Arabia towards a future beyond oil dependence, alongside overseeing a significant crackdown on dissent, which analysts suggest has helped solidify his power.
