Health minister meets WHO director-general

Geneva, May 26 (BNA): Health Minister, Faeqa bint Said Al-Saleh, has met here the Director-General of the World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, on the sidelines of the 71st World Health Assembly, held here from May 21 to 26. The two sides discussed issues of mutual interest, as well as areas of Bahrain-WHO cooperation. The minister conveyed greetings from His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa to WHO’s director-general, as well as his thanks and appreciation to him for lauding HRH Premier’s tremendous efforts to develop comprehensive health care in the kingdom, and commending the steps taken by the government to ensure the best health services for the citizens and residents. WHO chief valued highly the Bahraini government’s support for WHO, hailing Bahrain’s role in the comprehensive health coverage, in addition to its successful health practices and experiences that entitled it to be a role model for all countries in this regard. The minister reviewed a number of topics on the agenda of the 71st World Health Assembly. Al-Saleh also renewed invitation to Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus to attend the first GCC “Health Insurance” conference and exhibition, to be held under the patronage of HRH Premier on November 18-19. The meeting also tackled areas of Bahrain’s cooperation with WHO, including WHO’s role in addressing the global shortage of medicines and the use of the experts in the field of health research, as well as the impact of telecommunications masts and towers on human health. The Minister also called for WHO’s participation in efforts to promote Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa Global Award for Women Empowerment.