SCH President receives Israeli delegation

Manama, Mar. 10 (BNA): President of the Supreme Council for Health (SCH), Lieutenant-General Dr. Shaikh Mohammed bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, received here today Israeli Minister of Health, Nitzan Horowitz, and his accompanying delegation. Health Minister, Faeqa bin Said Al-Saleh, and senior officials of the health sector in the kingdom were present. The SCH President welcomed the delegation, stressing the importance of further broadening areas of cooperation to enhance the steadily-growing relations between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the State of Israel at all levels. He asserted that the initiatives to develop the health sector in the kingdom enjoy the unlimited support of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister. He praised the ongoing efforts to bolster health cooperation between the two countries, citing the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between the two sides to pave the way for more cooperation and exchange of expertise in combating global epidemics, emergency management, medical and pharmaceutical systems, education and training. The MoU also stipulates launching large-scale joint economic and health projects, cooperation in protecting data in the fields of medicine and public health, increasing visits by specialists, exchanging information, in addition to cooperation in the field of health and medical research. During the meeting, the visiting delegation was briefed about the role of the SCH in devising and following up on the implementation of the National Health Plan, including the National Social Health Insurance Programme, the development of the healthcare sector in the kingdom and the health insurance system, which is one of the strategic projects aiming to improve the quality of health services in the kingdom, in line with HM the King’s directives, the Government Action Plan and the goals of the Bahrain Economic Vision 2030. A presentation was given on the kingdom’s successful efforts in combating the novel Coronavirus, and the role played by the National Health Regulatory Authority (NHRA), which is an independent entity responsible for regulating health professions and services systems in public and private sectors in the Kingdom. The meeting also touched on the Supreme Committee for Overseas Treatment, tasked with following up on the situation of Bahrainis who are receiving treatment abroad, in addition to the Visiting Doctor Programme, aiming to hire world-class specialists to treat difficult or incurable cases at home. The Israeli delegation paid a visit to the Salmaniya Medical Complex, and were informed about its sections and services. Members of the delegation lauded the level of the health system in the kingdom and the precautionary measure in place to curb the spread of the pandemic. They also commended the competence of the qualified national health cadres at various health facilities in the kingdom. The delegation also praised the health sector’s capabilities that match international health systems, stressing that Bahrain’s experience is a success story and a role model for implementing health systems.