SAUDI ARABIA

MoH introduces sign app for the deaf

Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — People with hearing impairment can now benefit from the services of the “937” Health Center by downloading the “Isharah” (sign) application on their smart phones and devices. ‘Isharah’ is the first app that provides simultaneous interpretation by visual communication with the deaf community and is being provided free of charge. The app can be downloaded on all devices that run on the Android and IOS systems. Through it, the “937” Health Center can be contacted. People with impaired hearing can benefit from the first stage in obtaining a general inquiries service, booking appointments, and making medical consultations around the clock. The mechanism of this service relies on the presence of a third party between the caller and the center, where he/she converts sign language when using the application into spoken Arabic and vice versa. The video call links the beneficiary, the receiver of the call from the “937” Health Center and the sign language interpreter.