The Sultanate, represented by the Ministry of Health, today took part in the 3rd extraordinary meeting of the GCC Ministers of Health via video-conferencing.

       The Sultanate was represented in the meeting by Dr. Ahmed bin Mohammed al-Sa'eedi, Minister of Health. 

           The meeting discussed the latest developments of prevention and treatment of coronavirus (COVID-19) along with the continuation of cooperation to consolidate the efforts of the GCC states in tackling the pandemic and the role of the health sector to return to normal life gradually.   

            During the meeting, the Ministers of Health expressed their sincere thanks to the GCC leaders for their wise directives and concern for the human health and safety, as well as for their unlimited generous support for the health sector to tackle this pandemic, which was reflected in controlling and containing the disease, treating the infected persons and commendation of the global organizations including the WHO for the precautionary measures adopted by the GCC states. 

          The Ministers of Health praised the joint actions and efforts exerted by the committees at all levels on curbing the pandemic. 

         The Ministers of Health also commended the efforts of the GCC Secretariat General and the GCC Health Council in coordinating the mutual action, activating the joint operations room of the pandemic, particularly in exchanging information, experiences and health initiatives, as well as organizing intense meetings among the committees and preparing the daily report of the epidemiological situation of the pandemic in the GCC states. 

          Further, the ministers touched on the Gulf Guide of Pandemics Readiness and Response, Gulf Protocol of COVID-19 Treatment, developing plans to return to business and activities gradually after the pandemic, along with the health precautions on opening the land and sea points of entry between the GCC states. The ministers made a number of decisions to move forward on those issues. 

         In addition, the Ministers of Health mandated the relevant committees to continue monitoring the latest developments on discovering a vaccine for the COVID-19, communicating with the global authorities and seek to purchasing this vaccine in the future. They also stressed the importance of exchanging information and experiences among the GCC states. ONA