SCH President opens virtual form on Bahrain-Dubai health cooperation

Manama, Sept. 27 (BNA): President of the Supreme Council of Health (SCH), Lieutenant-General Dr. Shaikh Mohammed bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, today opened the “Joint Initiatives between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Dubai Health Authority” forum. Health officials from Bahrain and Dubai city took part in the forum, held today via video conference. In his opening speech, SCH President said that the forum is within the framework of the ongoing cooperation between Bahrain and the UAE in various fields, in light of the long-standing solid relations between the two brotherly countries, in light of the constant support of their leaderships, led by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, and President, His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al-Nahyan of the UAE. Shaikh Mohammed bin Abdulla indicated that the forum provides a good opportunity to highlight the latest developments of the national initiatives launched in both Bahrain and Dubai to enhance their health sector, citing Bahrain’s National Health Insurance Programme aiming to improve the quality and efficiency of health services in the kingdom. SCH chief expressed delight at the continuity of cooperation between the Kingdom and the UAE to enhance health and medical cooperation, particularly regarding the health insurance management. He also asserted that joint meetings enable the two countries to explore areas of health cooperation and exchange of expertise, especially in the fields of health insurance and self-management of health institutions. Dr. Shaikh Mohammed bin Abdulla pointed out that Bahrain seeks to develop its health services system, in accordance with the directives of the leadership, the Government Action Plan and the goals emanating from the Bahrain Economic Vision 2030, including the delivery of quality health services according to the principles of fairness, competitiveness and sustainability. He added that Bahrain’s national health plan is based on a set of themes, including the creation of an efficient and sustainable health sector that gives patients the freedom to choose their health service provider, ensuring the quality and continuity of health services, regulating areas of spending on health services, attracting national qualified medical competencies, operating effective electronic health information and systems, as well as activating governance in a way that determines the leading roles of institutions. Concluding his statement, the SCH President stressed that the tremendous challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic at the international and local levels confirm the urgent need to develop the health system, as well as to enhance its effectiveness and level of response to all challenges and changes, which, he said, will top the priorities of countries, government and international organisation, and prove that investment in health is always the best option. Dubai Health Authority (DHA) Director-General, Humaid Al Qutami, said that the forum is part of the ongoing joint efforts and initiatives of Bahrain and DHA, noting that DHA has a systematic and clear vision to achieve the required quantum leap. He also indicated that DHA always seeks to learn about the experiences of others, inform its partners about its successful experiences and exchange expertise with them. He also highlighted DHA’s future policies to increase its health services and improve their quality, using the latest equipment and applying the best practices. He also shed light on the main features of plans to develop the health system in Dubai, especially with regard to the health insurance system.