Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz, 88, is set to undergo medical tests due to a high fever and joint pain, according to a report by the state news agency, SPA.
The examinations will take place on Sunday at the royal clinics in Al-Salam Palace, Jeddah.
The Royal Court's statement indicated that the monarch's medical team has decided to conduct these tests to diagnose his condition and ensure his well-being. This marks the second round of medical assessments for King Salman in less than a month. In April, he was admitted to King Faisal Specialist Hospital for routine examinations but was discharged the same day.
King Salman, who ascended the throne in 2015, has had a series of health issues in recent years. He underwent gall bladder surgery in 2020 and has been hospitalized multiple times for various medical reasons, including a colonoscopy in May 2022 and the replacement of his pacemaker battery in March 2022.
Although the health of the Saudi monarch is seldom discussed publicly, the Royal Court's disclosures aim to quell speculations about his condition.
Riyadh has consistently dismissed rumours regarding King Salman’s potential abdication in favour of his son, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who was named crown prince in 2017 and handles much of the day-to-day governance.
As the custodian of Islam's holiest sites and the ruler of the world's leading oil exporter, King Salman's health is closely watched both domestically and internationally. His reign has been characterized by significant social and economic reforms driven by Crown Prince Mohammed, who is positioning Saudi Arabia for a future beyond oil dependency.
The crown prince has also led a stringent crackdown on dissent, consolidating his power while implementing ambitious initiatives aimed at modernizing the kingdom.
