His Excellency the Minister of Health, Eng. Khalid Al-Falih has commended the accomplishments made by the joint GCC health work during the last period. While visiting this Tuesday evening the headquarters of the Executive Board of the GCC Health Ministers Council, Eng. Al-Falih said that the rulers of the GCC Countries are aspiring to a higher level of health services in accordance with their ambitions in this regard, and in line with the development witnessed in all fields in the GCC countries.
Meanwhile, Eng. Al-Falih has expressed his deepest thanks and gratitude for the hospitality he received from Dr. Tawfik A. M. Khoja, the Director General of the Executive Board of GCC Health Ministers' Council, as well as the board members, confirming the success of this visit and this faternal meeting by all standards. A number of successful scientific and health programs that won various regional and international appreciation awards were reviewed.
Likewise, Eng. Al-Falih said, "The achievements and successes made by this board should come as no surprise from the director general of the Executive Board, who is accustomed to upgrading, improving and developing the health services sector at the GCC level. He is always used to showing us the fruits of such activities. And indeed, we are not blind to all the already in-place programs, which have received colossal acclaim from all colleagues in the MOH, and will remain the focus of our attention."
On his part, the Director-General of the Executive Board of the Health Ministers’ Council of the GCC, Dr. Tawfik A. M. Khoja, has welcomed the auspicious visit of His Excellency the Minister of Health and his valued companions to the headquarters of the Executive Board, meanwhile lauding the efforts exerted by the minister in the coordination, integration and development of the health programs carried out by the board within the framework of the joint GCC health work, in addition to facilitating many of the difficulties and issues facing the work of the board with regard to health aspects between the Ministry of Health in Saudi Arabia and the Executive Board in Riyadh. Dr. Khoja also expressed his happiness that the visit comes while the board is gearing up to commemorate the 40th anniversary of this Gulf edifice through a march full of work, achievements and great successes that contributed clearly to strengthening and consolidating the ties of the joint GCC health work.
Additionally, he indicated that this visit represents a major turning point in the history of the work of this council for carrying on the march of construction and development under a farsighted vision of the leadership which prioritizes developing such GCC specialized councils to play their roles to the fullest.
He lauded the support given by the government of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman to such vital Gulf entity. Also, he lauded the support and care given by His Excellency Minister of Health to the Executive Board as well as the achievements of the 79th meeting of the GCC Health Ministers Council in Geneva under his leadership, where many issues of concern to the council members were discussed. He described the Minister's leaderships as wise, precise, farsighted and objective and dealing with all issues smoothly, and the Council was able to come up with decisions that aimed at developing plans and programs to be implemented during the coming period at the Gulf level, thanks to his conscious thought and a clear-cut approach.
It's noteworthy that, His Excellency the Minister of Health, Eng. Khalid Al-Falih has paid a visit this Tuesday evening to the headquarters of the Executive Board of the GCC Health Ministers Council at the Diplomatic area in Riyadh and reviewed a number of programs and activities undertaken by the executive board. During his visit, he was accompanied by His Excellency the Vice Minister of Health for Health Affairs, Mr. Hamad bin Muhammad al-Duweila.
In another context, Eng. Al-Falih has commended the efforts exerted by the employees of the Saudi Health Services Council.
On meeting the Secretary General of Health Services Council, Dr. Yaqoub Al Mazro'a, and the employees of the council today, Al-Falih said that the Saudi Health Services Council plays a paramount role in the health system of the Kingdom for assuming a leading, supervisory, coordinating and controlling role in this regard. "Despite my short period in office, I have touched many accomplishments and reviewed the health strategy prepared by the council and the march of achievements will not stop - Allah willing," said he, adding that "the council and his staff led by the General Secretary will achieve the ambitions of our wise rulers."
On his part, the Secretary General of Health Services Council, Dr. Yaqoub Al Mazro'a, expressed his happiness with the visit of the Minister to the Council in his capacity as the Chairman of this council. He also welcomed the visit of the His Excellency the Vice Minister of Health for Health Affairs, Mr. Hamad bin Muhammad al-Duweila, pointing out that the employees of the council are gratified by this visit and are proud of it in the same way they were proud by the visits of ex-chairmen of the council, expounding that such visit represent a big support for them to carry on the march of achievements under the directions of His Excellency.
Within the same vein, the Minister reviewed the most prominent features of the health strategy prepared by the Saudi Health Services Council. In this regard, a number of employees of the council offered a brief account of the strategy and the most important programs presented by the council. Noteworthy, the strategy is based on three axes: improving the performance, raising level of coordination and integration between health sectors, and distributing services amongst regions, as well as the legal axis relevant to patients' rights and healthcare.
All the more, the Minister has reviewed a number of programs presented by the health council including following up incurable diseases, protection of the public health, patients' safety and quality in addition to the ethics of the profession program.