Dr. Abdul Rahman bin Mohammad bin Nasser Al Owais, Minister of Health and Prevention (MoHAP), presided over a series of virtual and physical meetings with many foreign ministers and ambassadors recently. The meetings focused on various means to enhance cooperation, exchange expert information and experience in healthcare, and highlight the UAE’s keenness to play crucial role in supporting global efforts to tackle COVID-19, provide safe supplies, effective treatment, ensure equitable access to vaccines, and support sustainable healthcare development. 

Jaan Reinhold, Ambassador of Estonia to the UAE, was first official to meet the UAE minister. The two diplomats discussed on ways to cooperate management of health data. It is a part of WHO’s project along with other global partners to help build a vaccination campaign that is both globally apt and reliable.

Another meeting was held between Al Owais and Avni Arifi, Ambassador of Kosovo to the UAE. The ministers discussed on ways to enhance bilateral relations between both nations in healthcare. 

Al Owais also received a phone call from Armindo Daniel Tiago, Minister of Health of Mozambique. The two sides agreed on importance of exchanging experiences on the COVID-19 vaccine. The Mozambican Minister expressed country’s keenness on learning about the UAE’s experience in tackling the pandemic and carrying out a successful national vaccination programme. Al Owais and Kwon Yongwoo, Ambassador of South Korea to the UAE, discussed bilateral cooperation between nations in the health sector, emphasizing on using latest health technology solutions. 

The UAE minister and Shaukat Ali Soudhan, Ambassador of Mauritius to the UAE, discussed on strengthening the UAE-Mauritius relations, exchanging medical expertise and increasing cooperation between their health institutions. Meanwhile, with Hussain Bajis, Ambassador of Indonesia to the UAE, Al Owais discussed cooperation in healthcare sector, especially on how to control the outbreak of COVID-19, vaccination and diagnosis. 

Bakhtiar Khaderovic Ibrahimov, Ambassador of Uzbekistan to the UAE, met Al Owais in person. Both leaders underlined the importance of bilateral relations in healthcare, increasing collaboration between medical institutions of both nations, and exchanging expertise to tackle the pandemic. 

Al Owais also received Zvi Heifetz, Israel’s special envoy to the GCC, and the accompanying delegation. The meeting witnessed discussions around strengthening bilateral relations between UAE-Israel in health sector. This would boost cooperation between both nations in areas around ways to combat global pandemics, protecting medical data, digital health, artificial intelligence, innovation and personalised medicine. Both sides have agreed on exchanging expertise in the field of vaccination especially with UAE’s production of the “Hayat-Fax” vaccine. 

“The UAE is at the forefront of world countries in dealing with COVID-19 pandemic, thanks to the forward-looking vision of the UAE aiming to enhance national resilience, achieve business continuity, and advance the healthcare system,” Al Owais said.

WAM