RIYADH: Gulf health officials are calling for closer collaboration across the region to boost disease prevention and healthcare services. Dr Abdulrahman Al-Mutairi, Kuwait’s deputy health minister, made the comments Thursday while chairing the 101st meeting of the Gulf Health Council’s Executive Board. Representing the GCC presidency, he said it’s “important to follow up on previous decisions to improve public health services across GCC states.”
The meeting covered a range of priorities, including joint health initiatives, the Council’s strategic plan, coordinated disease prevention efforts, and the GCC Wafed program. Wafed, launched in 1995, screens expatriates entering GCC countries to ensure they are medically fit. Today, it operates across 29 countries and 574 medical centers, cutting unfit entrants from up to 20 per cent down to just 0.5 per cent.
RIYADH: GCC health officials meet to discuss regional cooperation in Riyadh. — KUNA photos
The council also discussed the Unified Procurement Program, which coordinates the purchase of medicines, medical devices, and supplies across member states. The program aims to deliver safe, high-quality products on time while reducing costs through coordinated purchasing and an electronic tender system.
Meanwhile, Dr Munthir Al-Hasawi, assistant undersecretary for public health, led the 19th meeting of the GCC Center for Disease Prevention and Control. Officials reviewed ongoing projects and development plans, and launched the first GCC Cancer Registry report, covering 2013–2020. — KUNA
