His Excellency Mr. Jassem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), stated that Their Excellencies the Ministers of Health of the GCC discussed ways to develop and improve the health system in the GCC, and to improve aspects of integration and interdependence between the GCC countries in the health field.
This came during the consultative meeting of Their Excellencies the Ministers of Health of the GCC countries which took place today, Saturday (May 6, 2023) in Al Ula Governorate, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, under the chairmanship of His Excellency Dr. Hilal bin Ali Al Sabti, Minister of Health of the Sultanate of Oman (Chairman of the current session), and in the presence of Their Excellencies the Ministers of Health in the GCC countries.
His Excellency the Secretary General said that the meeting began with Their Excellencies expressing their sincerest thanks and appreciation to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, King of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as well as to His Excellency Mr.Fahad bin Abdulrahman Al Jalajel, Minister of Health in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, for hosting the consultative meeting of Their Excellencies the Ministers of Health of the GCC states.
Moreover, His Excellency the Secretary General said the consultative meeting convened based on the kind instructions of Their Majesties and Highnesses and their keenness to extend comprehensive health care to the GCC citizen and that the GCC member states become at the forefront of the countries distinguished in the health sector, indicating that the event discussed a number of topics on the agenda that aimed to increase and exchange experiences in the medical field at the GCC level as well as to achieve results and issue decisions that are for the benefit of GCC peoples.
His Excellency pointed out that the meeting also shed light on the health and humanitarian developments in the Republic of Sudan and discussed ways to unify medical and relief efforts to support it, underscoring that the GCC countries launched relief campaigns at the governmental and popular levels as well as operated flights to send medical and relief materials to the brotherly Sudanese people since the beginning of the crisis in the country. In the same context, His Excellency the Secretary General praised the efforts of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the country's initiative to carry out the largest humanitarian evacuation operations for nationals of many countries.
Moreover, His Excellency explained that the meeting also reviewed the outcomes of the first meeting of the Arab drug regulatory bodies and authorities, and briefed Their Excellencies the Ministers of Health in the GCC countries on the developments and the latest updates regarding the World Health Organisation (WHO) agreement, charter and mechanisms on preparedness, response and prevention to combat pandemics which were prepared by the International Negotiating Body.
Finally, His Excellency the Secretary General took advantage of the occasion to congratulate Their Excellencies on the end of the Coronavirus pandemic around the world as per the official announcement made by WHO which stated that the virus no longer constitutes a global emergency, thanking Allah the Almighty for granting us his grace and generosity, and guard us and our homelands with his generous protection.