Cairo:Health and Population Minister Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, leading the 65th session of the Council of Arab Health Ministers, emphasized the importance of reinforcing joint Arab health security and developing healthcare systems. His remarks highlighted the necessity for increased coordination and cooperation, especially for countries dealing with emergencies and humanitarian crises.
According to State Information Service Egypt, Abdel Ghaffar participated in a meeting at the Arab League headquarters in Cairo, where discussions culminated in strategic decisions and recommendations addressing 17 agenda items. These decisions aim to create a roadmap for supporting Arab healthcare sectors and tackling regional challenges.
The minister addressed the challenging health and humanitarian situation in Palestine, noting that Egypt is actively monitoring the critical conditions in Gaza and the West Bank. He reaffirmed Egypt's commitment to providing necessary medical and humanitarian assistance. The council approved a $200,000 emergency financial allocation to the Palestinian Ministry of Health from the Arab fund for health development.
Abdel Ghaffar also mentioned the new Arab strategy to utilize the expertise of migrant Arab health professionals, set to launch at an upcoming conference in Egypt. This strategy is designed to harness the skills of Arab expatriates to support national health systems. Additionally, Egypt was recommended as a regional training center for blood transfusion services personnel, including those from Sudan.
Other initiatives discussed included Egypt's "Arab Day for Humanity Burn Free" and Iraq's proposal for an Arab center for applied epidemiology. The council deliberated on avoiding overlapping mandates with existing institutions like the Arab Center for Public Health. Progress on an Arab Observatory on Drugs and the third Arab-Chinese Health Forum were also highlighted, aiming to bolster cooperation and expertise exchange.
Finally, the minister urged member states to fulfill their financial contributions to the Arab fund for health development to sustain its programs and regional health initiatives.