ISLAMABAD: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Health Fahad bin Abdurrahman Al-Jalajel on Monday assured full support towards new health initiatives in Pakistan.
The Saudi minister made this assurance during a meeting with Caretaker Federal Minister for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination Dr Nadeem Jan on the sidelines of the 70th session of the WHO’s Regional Committee of the Eastern Mediterranean in Cairo.
Senior officials from the Saudi Ministry of Health were present during the meeting.
Bilateral fraternal relations between Pakistan and KSA are based on common faith and aspirations, the minister added.
The Saudi minister noted with appreciation that relations with Pakistan in the field of health have touched a new level.
Dr Jan discussed the possibility of mutual collaboration in the vaccine production capacity. The Saudi minister offered to provide assistance and support in developing vaccine production capacity in Pakistan.
Both the ministers agreed to exchange of expertise through a team of health experts to formalise the transfer of technology.
Dr Jan expressed gratitude to the Saudi minister for accommodating Pakistani doctors in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
He discussed the possibility of exchange of knowledge and expertise, especially in the field of nursing and paramedics.
Fahad bin Abdurrahman Al-Jalajel agreed to send a high-level team to deliberate on this proposal and formalise an MoU soon.
Dr Jan also explained his innovative idea of establishing a ‘pharma park’ in Pakistan to manufacture the basic ingredients of medicines.
Fahad bin Abdurrahman Al-Jalajel appreciated the idea and expressed his willingness to support Pakistan in the establishment of the proposed pharma park.
Dr Jan informed the Saudi minister about the steps for polio eradication in Pakistan. He highlighted the newly revamped communication strategy and the localised operational hub for stopping the wild poliovirus circulation in high-risk zones, Pakistan’s official news agency reported.
The Saudi health minister lauded the strategy for the eradication of polio from Pakistan. The minister informed that Pakistan is sending a team of doctors and paramedics with a 30-bed field hospital equipped with all the diagnostic and life-saving emergency interventions to Afghanistan for the provision of health emergency cover to the victims of earthquake in Herat.
Fahad bin Abdurrahman Al-Jalajel appreciated this gesture and informed that the King Salman Relief Centre is also busy in providing emergency relief to the victims.
The minister apprised the Saudi health minister of the forthcoming Global Health Security Summit in Pakistan.
The Saudi Health Minister appreciated and said that this summit will contribute towards strengthening health security capabilities for better pandemic preparedness and response.
Fahad bin Abdurrahman Al-Jalajel assured of the Saudi government’s full support for making this summit a resounding success.
