In collaboration with World Health Organization Director-General Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Health Fahd Al-Jalajel has led the inaugural strategic dialogue between Saudi Arabia and WHO via video conference in Riyadh, according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
Held from 13 to 14 August, the meeting highlighted the attendance of WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, Dr. Hanan Balkhy, alongside several senior officials from the Ministry of Health and WHO representatives.
The dialogue highlighted the strategic relations between the Kingdom and WHO and the bilateral agreements designed to boost health cooperation and determine the joint initiatives.
The meetings also underscored their commitment to promoting international efforts, fostering regional and global health, and ensuring the continuous cooperation to defeat health crises.
The Agenda
Aimed at multiplying the outcomes of the dialogue, the participants delved into several topics, including:
- Bilateral historical partnerships
- Bilateral relations
- Regional and international health issues
- Health investment
- Economy
- Scientific research
- Reviewing the Kingdom’s efforts in the health transformation program
- Showcasing the Kingdom’s initiatives of care and enhancing prevention against health risks
- Discussing the most significant measures and policies implemented by the Kingdom to improve the efficiency of health services, facilitate digital access to health services, and strengthen traffic safety
The International Agenda
Furthermore, the strategic dialogue session addressed WHO’s program and objectives, and the Kingdom’s aspirations on the international agenda, such as:
- Antimicrobial resistance
- Digital health
- Patient safety
- Universal health coverage
- Health emergencies
“The Kingdom represents a significant strategic partner of the World Health Organization, and together we have made important strides in addressing global health challenges, including antimicrobial resistance, improving health data, and responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, in addition to emergency operations in many countries,” Ghebreyesus said in his speech.
Ghebreyesus also stated that the dialogue provides a valuable opportunity to communicate and discuss issues of mutual concern of WHO‘s global health strategy for 2025-2028 and the 14th General Program of Work.
These issues include:
- The investment round
- Scaling up primary health care
- Strengthening health systems
- Promoting preparedness, prevention and response to health emergencies
- Addressing the root causes of disease, including the threat of climate change
Al-Jalajel emphasized the pivotal role of the strategic dialogue to benefit from international expertise and partnerships, in line with the Saudi Vision 2030, stressing that the current dialogue is an important step towards further cooperation between the two parties.
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