Saudi Arabia’s King Salman is set to undergo another round of medical tests after experiencing a high temperature and joint pain, state media reported on Sunday. This will be his second round of tests in less than a month.
The Royal Court announced that the tests would take place at a clinic at the Al-Salam Palace in Jeddah. “The treating medical team decided to conduct some tests to diagnose the health condition and to ensure his health,” the statement from the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA) said.
King Salman, 88, has been on the throne since 2015. His son, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, 38, was named crown prince in 2017 and has been handling the day-to-day affairs of the kingdom.
The health of King Salman is seldom discussed publicly. However, in April, the Royal Court revealed that he had been admitted to King Faisal Specialist Hospital for routine examinations, from which he was discharged the same day. Prior to this, his last hospital stay was in May 2022 for a colonoscopy and additional tests, which required a stay of just over a week.
In 2020, King Salman underwent surgery to remove his gall bladder and has been hospitalized several times since then, including in March 2022 for what state media described as “successful medical tests” and a pacemaker battery change.
King Salman served as the governor of Riyadh for decades and later as defense minister before ascending to the throne. His reign has seen significant social and economic reforms largely driven by his son, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. These reforms aim to prepare Saudi Arabia for a post-oil future and have included an intense crackdown on dissent, which analysts suggest has helped the crown prince consolidate power.
The Royal Court’s transparency about King Salman’s health aims to quell ongoing speculation. In 2017, Riyadh dismissed rumors that the king was planning to abdicate in favor of his son.