Cairo:Dr. Jaleela bint Al Sayed Jawad Hasan, Bahrain's Minister of Health, led the country's delegation to the 73rd session of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional Committee for the Eastern Mediterranean. The session took place in Cairo, Egypt, from October 13 to 15.
According to Bahrain News Agency, the delegation included Ambassador Fawzia Zainal, Bahrain's Ambassador to Egypt and Permanent Representative to the League of Arab States. The Health Minister emphasized Bahrain's dedication to enhancing cooperation with the WHO and other member states, with a focus on exchanging expertise and improving health system resilience. These efforts aim to support universal health coverage and meet health-related Sustainable Development Goals.
Key regional health priorities were discussed, such as polio eradication, immunization, communicable diseases, and access to medicines and vaccines. Bahrain highlighted its achievement of remaining poliovirus-free for over thirty years, attributing this success to ongoing immunization and surveillance initiatives.
Additional topics covered included digital health, the One Health approach, mental health services and psychosocial support during emergencies, health emergency preparedness under the International Health Regulations (2005), and regional strategies to combat tobacco use and address emerging tobacco and nicotine products.