Health cooperation with UK explored

Manama, Sept. 10 (BNA): Health Minister Faeqa Al Saleh received Ambassador of the UK to Bahrain, Simon Martin, and discussed bilateral cooperation especially in the health fields. The two sides explored the cooperation regarding medical training, consultants’ visits and benefiting from British medical expertise, citing the distinguished historic Bahrain-British friendship ties and fruitful cooperation. The minister highlighted the Health Insurance Scheme and the Fly-in Doctors’ Programme implemented by the ministry at the directives of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, and expressed the ministry’s interest in hosting British medical expertise in micro-specialisations to conduct surgical procedures and to train SMC medical staff. The ambassador praised the ministry’s efforts in development of its health and medical services, affirming his country’s keenness to boost the cooperation with Bahrain in various fields particularly the health arena. He also affirmed his country’s readiness to provide all possible assistance to realise the ministry’s aspirations through the cooperation between the two friendly countries in matters that will boost the health services provided by the ministry. They also cited the 1st Mental Health Summit slated to be held in London in October organized by the UK’s Ministry of Health in association with the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation. The minister affirmed the ministry’s participation with a high-level delegation at the level of undersecretary in this important event since Bahrain attaches great importance to mental and psychological healthcare.