Health Ministry leadership meets with visiting Saudi Health minister

23:28 21/11/2024 - Πηγή: iEfimerida

The prospects of strengthening bilateral relations between Greece and Saudi Arabia in the health sector, with an emphasis on the transfer of technical know-how, developing joint actions, and collaborating on research and innovation were discussed among others at the meeting of the Greek Health Ministry

leadership on Thursday with visiting Saudi Health Minister Fahad Aljalajel.

As Health Minister Adonis Georgiadis stated, "The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is a strategic partner of Greece on very many levels - economy, energy, tourism, and now health. I truly believe that Saudi Arabia is now a country that has a lot to teach us. Today we initiated a close cooperation, and I am truly very happy for this meeting today, and wish once more to welcome him to my country."

On his side, Health Minister Fahad Aljalajel noted that the meeting was productive, and that he looked forward to strengthening this close relationship between the two countries. He said he was happy to see the interest and enthusiasm for the opportunities available in the transformation of Saudi Arabia's health sector, adding in particular that there are a lot of opportunities for cooperation in the sectors of digital health and of pharmaceuticals.

Alternate Health Minister Eirini Agapidaki said she was impressed by the strategic investments in prevention of illness and the promotion of health that transformed the Saudi Ministry of Health change from "a ministry of illness" to a "ministry of health". Three quarters of their policies focus on prevention and health instead of on hospitalization, she noted, proving that preventative care is more effective and more humane.

Deputy Health Minister Marios Themistocleous spoke of "new paths opening in facing contemporary health challenges" through technical know-how exchanges, joint actions, and promoting research and innovation, benefitting the two countries' peoples and health systems.

Deputy Health Minister Dimitris Vartzopoulos said that he spoke extensively at the meeting about interventions in mental health in Greece, and in organizational changes through a new law completing mental health reforms. He spoke of the National Mental Health Services Network and the monitoring of epidemiological management through a digital system, as well as of the new Organization of Prevention and Management of Addictions.

After the meeting, the Saudi delegation paid a visit to the coordination center of the emergency ambulance service EKAV, where its members were given a tour of facilities by ministers, and were briefed on its operation. Their last stop was the Greek pharmaceutical industry ELPEN.

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