As part of his official visit to Paris, Minister of Health, H.E. Fahad Abdulrahman AlJalajel, held a series of high-level bilateral meetings with several French ministers, including Catherine Vautrin, Minister for Labour, Health, Solidarity and Family Affairs, and Frédéric Valletoux, Minister Delegate for Health and Access to Care.
During the meetings, Minister AlJalajel and his French counterparts discussed expanding bilateral cooperation and strengthening partnerships in the healthcare sector. Key areas of discussion included scientific research collaboration, innovation in healthcare, development of healthcare competencies, and enhancing the integration of health and social development within communities. They also explored investment opportunities and potential alliances aligned with the Health Sector Transformation Program, one of the key strategic initiatives under Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030.
Underscoring the depth of health relations and the commitment to broadening cooperation between the two nations, AlJalajel witnessed the signing of three Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) in the presence of the French ministers.The Saudi Red Crescent Authority and Greater Paris University Hospital (AP-HP) signed an MoU aimed at enhancing ambulance services in the Kingdom by adopting best practices from the French emergency medical services model, as well as promoting joint research and the exchange of expertise.
The Saudi Food and Drug Authority signed an MoU with France's National Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health Safety (ANSES) to cooperate and exchange information on the regulation of veterinary pharmaceuticals. The agreement also includes expert exchanges, knowledge transfer, enhanced international collaboration, and mutual registration of veterinary products.
Additionally, the Ministry of Health, represented by Seha Health Hospital, signed a strategic executive program with Gustave Roussy International, one of the world's leading cancer centers. The program aims to foster cooperation in research, innovation, and digital health in the field of oncology.
Minister AlJalajel also visited “Station F", the world's largest startup incubator, where he met with a number of entrepreneurs and innovators in health technology. During the visit, he discussed potential collaboration opportunities to support the innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem in the Saudi healthcare sector and advance digital health initiatives.