Health Minister, Dr. Jaleela bint Al-Sayed Jawad Hassan, met the Director-General of the World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, on the sidelines of the 76th session of the World Health Assembly (WHA), currently held here.
The minister lauded WHO's role in achieving comprehensive health, as reflected in the theme of the 76th session of WHA ("WHO at 75: Saving lives, driving health for all"), affirming Bahrain's Health Ministry's interest in continuing to implement its joint programmes, plans and initiatives with WHO.
She praised WHO's support for regional and global health issues, citing its recent declaration that COVID-19 is no longer a global health emergency, reflecting the organisation's advanced performance and success in overcoming many challenges towards reaching sustainable development goals.
The two sides reviewed several topics of common interest, and discussed areas of cooperation and coordination between Bahrain and WHO, stressing the importance of conciliating proactive plans and future programmes related to confronting outbreaks and infectious diseases, as well as ways to address them by building robust and sustainable health systems.
WHO Director-General expressed deepest thanks and appreciation to the kingdom for its efforts to develop the health sector and decades-long cooperation with WHO, hailing the effective role played by the WHO country office in Bahrain since its opening.
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus lauded the Health Minister's chairing of WHA Main Committee (A) during the 76th WHA session, noting that it is the first time that Bahrain holds such a high-level position that requires dealing with key technical issues, such as health systems and comprehensive health coverage. and emergency preparedness and response.
WHO chief commended the health system in Bahrain, highlighting its successes and distinguished achievements regarding the provision of high quality integrated preventive and treatment services for all the citizens and residents.
Source: Bahrain News Agency