Doha: HE Regional Director of the World Health Organization (WHO) for the Eastern Mediterranean, Dr. Hanan Hassan Balkhy, has announced ongoing collaboration between WHO and the State of Qatar in pioneering initiatives to advance health sectors in the Eastern Mediterranean. These initiatives focus on health infrastructure upgrades, medical education enhancement, addiction combat, and emergency medicine improvement.
According to Qatar News Agency, Dr. Balkhy emphasized Qatar's significant support for WHO's operations in the region during her visit to Doha. She noted that her visit aims to explore new cooperation fields and additional initiatives to strengthen public health. Dr. Balkhy praised Qatar's role in hosting the 71st session of the WHO Regional Committee for the Eastern Mediterranean in Doha in 2024.
Highlighting Qatar's contributions, Dr. Balkhy mentioned the successful Sport for Health initiative launched during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. She also acknowledged Qatar's role in combating epidemics and infectious diseases, providing financial and technical support to numerous countries in the region.
Dr. Balkhy emphasized Qatar's efforts in supporting the Palestinian people, particularly in the Gaza Strip, through collaboration with the Qatar Red Crescent Society and WHO. Qatar has also hosted injured Palestinians requiring urgent medical care, coordinating with the Palestinian Ministry of Health, WHO, and UNRWA.
The WHO aims to boost regional cooperation to tackle health challenges, with the Eastern Mediterranean facing natural disasters and conflicts. Dr. Balkhy underscored the importance of peace in achieving stability and supporting public health priorities.
Dr. Balkhy, who assumed her position in February 2024, shared her vision of promoting self-dependence among the region's nations. She stressed the need for powerful countries to provide technical, material, and political support for comprehensive advancement.
During her visit, Dr. Balkhy discussed new initiatives with Qatari officials, including emergency medicine programs, training medical practitioners, and scientific research on addiction. Qatar's experience in transforming municipalities into health cities serves as a role model.
Dr. Balkhy also highlighted efforts to eradicate poliomyelitis, noting that Afghanistan and Pakistan remain the only countries with active wild poliovirus. Geographic challenges, rather than funding, hinder complete eradication in these areas.
The visit to Qatar focused on strengthening health infrastructure in remote areas to ensure vaccinations reach children. Discussions included bolstering emergency medicine, hosting strategic dialogues, and combating narcotics through scientific research.
Dr. Balkhy emphasized the importance of regional cooperation in building robust health systems. She acknowledged Qatar's experience in managing the COVID-19 pandemic and WHO's commitment to enhancing health preparedness.
She highlighted Gaza's health challenges, including deteriorating infrastructure and reduced vaccination rates. WHO conducted a polio vaccination campaign in Gaza and launched another to curb disease spread.
Dr. Balkhy noted WHO's monitoring mechanisms for potential disease outbreaks. WHO relies on country focal points to report outbreaks swiftly, highlighting the importance of transparency in containing epidemics.
In closing, Dr. Balkhy expressed gratitude to Qatar for its support of WHO's efforts, underscoring the importance of partnerships in rebuilding the Eastern Mediterranean's health capacities.