The Ministry of Health commemorated the "Health Martyr Day", which is on March 2 annually, in recognition of the sacrifices of medical personnel who gave their lives while performing their humanitarian duty. The day coincides with the anniversary of the first case of coronavirus infection in the Kingdom, to be a national occasion to remember the heroic efforts made by healthcare practitioners in confronting epidemics and health challenges.
The Kingdom had submitted a proposal to adopt the "Health Martyr Day", and it received the support and approval of Arab and Gulf countries, to become an official occasion approved by the Council of Arab Ministers of Health and the Gulf Cooperation Council, in appreciation of the vital role played by health sector workers across the Arab world.
On this day, the Minister of Health, H.E. Fahad Abdulrahman AlJalajel, said: "On Health Martyr Day, we proudly and gratefully remember the sacrifices of our heroes in the health sector who devoted their lives to preserve the health of society. Their dedication and loyalty reflect the noble values on which this country is based. We affirm our commitment to supporting their families and continuing their journey in building a sustainable health system that protects everyone."
The Ministry stressed that commemorating this day considering the health transformation witnessed by the Kingdom reflects the essential position of health cadres as the main pillar in building an integrated and sustainable system. In this context, the Ministry established the "Health Martyrs Unit" to support and care for the families of health workers who lost their lives while performing their duties, affirming its commitment to appreciating their contributions and their role in protecting the health of citizens and expatriates.
"Health Martyr Day" reflects the Kingdom's commitment to prioritize human health and confirms that the development of the health system depends on the dedication of heroes who bravely confronted risks and contributed to establishing a safer and more sustainable future for the health sector.