The activities of the 78th Conference of the GCC Health Ministers Council, organized by the Ministry of Health (MOH), in collaboration with the Executive Board of the GCC Health Ministers Council, will kick off in Riyadh next Wednesday 15th of Rabei II, 1436 H, corresponding to 4th of February, 2015.
The conference, which will take place at Ritz-Carlton Hotel, will be opened by His Excellency the Minister of Health, Mr. Ahmad Al-Khateeb, in the presence and participation of His Excellency the Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, Dr. Abdul Latif bin Rashid Al Zayani, as well as their Excellency the GCC health ministers, and a large number of the health leaders in the Gulf countries. The conference will last for two days.
The Advisor to His Excellency the Minister of Health for Regions Affairs, Deputy Chairman of the Supreme Supervisory Committee and Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the 78th Conference of the GCC Health Ministers Council, Dr. Ali bin Qassim Al-Qahtani, said in a press conference held on this occasion that this gathering, which is organized under the theme (Measuring Health Systems: the Way to Excellence), comes in continuation of the march and efforts of the GCC Health Ministers Council to boost and support plans and strategies aiming at developing all services provides for citizens in the GCC countries in the different health sectors.
Within the same vein, Dr. Al-Qahtani explained that that the conference will address many scientific topics related to developing health work systems, promoting their mechanisms, and seeking the best practices and ways of excellence. "The conference will review the latest developments at the international level to make use of them in such a manner which serves the people of the region," Dr. Al-Qahtani said, shedding light on the importance of the theme of the conference and its compatibility with the renaissance witnessed by the health sectors in the GCC countries.
Dr. Al-Qahtani further revealed that various topics are on the agenda of the conference, including fighting non-communicable diseases, controlling cancer, as well as standards and regulations of cooperation with GCC health associations.
Resuming his speech about the conference, Dr. Al-Qahtani noted that the gathering will probe also ways of combating smoking, occupational health, the statistical bulletin, major health indicators and the scientific forum of the financial and administrative affairs at the GCC health ministries.
"The meeting will also be tackling the issue of migrant workers and polio," he said, adding that the on-agenda topics include the e-link portal between the information centers in the GCC countries and the Executive Board, and ways to develop the health information systems.
He noted that among the issues to be raised, also, are smart cards, unified pharmaceutical procurement, hospital supplies, central pharmaceutical registration, administrative and regulatory affairs, the budget of the Executive Board, the Research and Deposit Fund, in addition to ways of developing and improving work in the Executive Board and expanding its building. "The attendees will tackle also the GCC Secretariat General's efforts in the filed of supervision as well as financial and administrative control as well as the GCC regulation for the continuing professional development and the technical discussions," he underlined.
Further, Dr. Al-Qahtani said the conference comes in the context of the activities of the GCC Health Ministers Council’s 40th session and will include six working sessions; four of them will be attended by their Excellency the Gulf health ministers.
He noted that the scientific sessions will be preceded by a welcoming speech by His Excellency the Saudi Minister of Health, Mr. Ahmad Al-Khateeb, in addition to other speeches to be delivered by His Excellency the Kuwaiti Minister of Health and Chairman of the 39th session of the GCC Health Ministers Council, Dr. Ali bin Saad Al-Obaidi, His Excellency the Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, Dr. Abdul Latif bin Rashid Al Zayani, and the Director-General of the Executive Board.
Additionally, Dr. Al-Qahtani said during the press conference that the Ministry of Health will submit a technical working paper on a separate axis under the theme “Measuring Health Systems Performance: The Way to Excellence”, pointing out that the conference will come up, upon its conclusion, with applicable scientific and practical recommendations. Also, the conference activities will witness the signature of Riyadh Declaration to be held under the same theme.
"On the sidelines of the conference, the first phase of the awareness Salamtak (your safety) Program will be launched with the aim of briefing citizens of the GCC countries on the common and emergency health problems and issues," Dr. Al-Qahtani said.
All the more, Dr. Al-Qahtani added, "The activities of the conference will also witness honoring of the winners of the GCC Excellence Award in Health Media in its 2nd session for the first year (2014-2015), which was announced recently by the Executive Board of the GCC Health Ministers Council, revealing that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, represented by the Ministry of Health (MOH), has won four awards in the Gulf excellence in the health media.
According to Dr. Al-Qahtani, the MOH won the first place in the Gulf excellence in social communication for the Ministry's account on Twitter, the first place in electronic applications for the application: “Your Health Advisor,” which is directed to all society members, the second place in the TV message contests for a TV flash which stimulates the fight against obesity and inactivity, and the second place in the radio message competition for a message to motivate the diet and physical activity.
Over and Above, Dr. Al-Qahtani indicated that a high-level Saudi delegation, under His Excellency the Minister of Health Mr. Ahmad Al-Khateeb, will participate in the conference. "Membership of the Saudi delegation includes His Excellency the Vice Minister for Health Affairs, Dr. Mansour bin Nasser Alhowasi, His Excellency the Vice Minister for Planning and Development, Dr. Muhammad Khoshaim, the Deputy Minister of Health for Public Health, Dr. Abdul Aziz bin Saeed, His Excellency the Advisor to the Minister of Health and Supervisor General of Information and Communication Technology, Dr. Abdullah bin Ahmed al-Weheibi, the Director-General of the Medical Supply, Dr. Ahmed Almosilhi, and the Acting Director General of the International Relations, Ph. Hissa Al-Motairi", he elaborated.
Concluding the press conference, Dr. Al-Qahtani said that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, represented by the Ministry of Health, welcomes their Excellency the GCC health ministers participating in the 78th conference of GCC Health Ministers Council in its 40th session. He went on to pray for Allah, the Almighty, to crown their Excellency the Gulf health ministers with success in whatever related to the service and welfare of GCC countries and their people and for the conference to come out with aspiring recommendations which reflect development and advancement of health services in the GCC countries.