Kuwait set to host GCC health ministers meeting tomorrow
The agenda of the meeting includes several key topics, including follow-up on Supreme Council decisions related to the Gulf Strategy for Combating Drugs, which aims to protect youth and communities from the dangers of substance abuse.
-
GCC countries now have more than 863 hospitals, over 3,400 health centers and complexes, and approximately 594,000 citizens benefiting from medical services abroad. By October last year, 44 healthy cities, 35 healthy villages, and 12 health universities were accredited by the WHO.
Gulf health ministers’ undersecretaries held a preparatory meeting on Friday ahead of the 11th Gulf Health Ministers’ Meeting, which Kuwait is set to host tomorrow, Saturday, reported Al Jarida newspaper.
In his opening speech, Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Mutairi, Undersecretary of the Kuwaiti Ministry of Health and Chair of the meeting, emphasized that Kuwait’s hosting underscores its commitment to supporting joint Gulf initiatives in the health sector and strengthening regional integration to ensure sustainable health security.
Dr. Al-Mutairi highlighted that the meeting reflects the GCC states’ longstanding tradition of constructive cooperation and ongoing communication, which consolidates the foundations of integration and collective achievement.
He noted that the agenda includes several key topics, including follow-up on Supreme Council decisions related to the Gulf Strategy for Combating Drugs (2025–2028), which aims to protect youth and communities from the dangers of substance abuse.
The agenda also covers a review of the Healthy Cities Program across GCC countries, examining tangible achievements at the levels of cities, villages, and universities. In addition, the meeting addresses the examination of expatriate workers as a priority for safeguarding public health, enhancing preventive policies, and securing shared health borders.
Another significant agenda is the proposal to establish the Gulf Health Committee for Innovation and Digital Transformation under the General Secretariat, aimed at preparing unified standards and guidelines for the use of artificial intelligence in diagnosis, treatment, and health data management. The meeting will also discuss the unified work plan for the Committee of Health Ministers for 2026–2030.
Dr. Al-Mutairi expressed confidence that participants’ expertise and experiences would help formulate constructive recommendations and decisions to elevate GCC states’ regional and international standing, fulfill citizens’ aspirations, and reflect the vision of Gulf leaders.
Khalid Al-Sunaidi, Assistant Secretary-General for Economic and Development Affairs at the GCC Secretariat, praised the GCC health system’s qualitative development, noting that joint cooperation has enabled member states to surpass regional and global averages in health indicators and achieve international recognition. He emphasized that these achievements go beyond medical services, contributing to human development by increasing life expectancy, reducing mortality, and enhancing societal productivity.
Al-Sunaidi added that GCC countries now have more than 863 hospitals, over 3,400 health centers and complexes, and approximately 594,000 citizens benefiting from medical services abroad.
By October last year, 44 healthy cities, 35 healthy villages, and 12 health universities were accredited by the World Health Organization. He expressed gratitude to Kuwait for hosting the meeting and to Qatar, under whose presidency the previous session was held, wishing the meeting success and the issuance of decisions that serve GCC citizens.
Follow The Times Kuwait on
X, Instagram and Facebook for the latest news updates
