Qatar took part in significant regional discussions on health policy, attending the 89th Gulf Health Council meeting and the 12th GCC Health Ministers’ Committee meeting in Manama, Bahrain. Spearheaded by Minister of Public Health Mansoor bin Ebrahim Al Mahmoud, Qatar’s delegation engaged in talks aimed at boosting collaboration among the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations within the health sector.
The meetings provided a platform for officials to assess the Gulf Health Council’s budget for 2027 and deliberate on upcoming initiatives, alongside a thorough examination of the council’s action plan spanning 2026 to 2030. The central focus was on strategic decisions affecting the region, including the management of food, medicine, and essential supply reserves, as well as health screening protocols for expatriate workers.
Among the topics of discussion was the Gulf Strategy for Combating Drugs, mapped out for the years 2025 to 2028. Another key point on the agenda was the proposal to establish a Gulf Centre for Food Risk Assessment, aimed at enhancing regional capabilities in managing food-related risks.
Additionally, the meetings took stock of the progress made on resolutions from the previous GCC Health Ministers’ Committee gathering. These discussions are critical for shaping future health policies and ensuring the resilience and preparedness of the GCC nations in facing health-related challenges.
