The Gulf Center for Disease Prevention and Control, represented by the Department of Public Health Programs and Policies and the Department of Training and Capacity Building, organized a specialized workshop titled “Strengthening Measles Elimination in the Gulf Region.” The event was held in collaboration with the Health Affairs of the Ministry of National Guard in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and in coordination with the Ministry of Health in the Kingdom of Bahrain.
This workshop is part of the Gulf Cooperation Council’s efforts to enhance joint action and regional cooperation in addressing health challenges, particularly communicable diseases, with measles remaining a significant public health threat despite the availability of effective vaccines.
The workshop aimed to unify GCC efforts, share national experiences on measles control strategies, review epidemiological indicators, and discuss common challenges. These discussions contribute to supporting regional initiatives targeting the complete elimination of measles from the region and advancing cooperation in public health.
The workshop was inaugurated by Her Excellency Dr. Samia Ali Bahram, Assistant Undersecretary for Public Health at the Ministry of Health in Bahrain. In her opening remarks, she emphasized the importance of regional coordination and the integration of national efforts to achieve disease-free communities.
The event was attended by a distinguished group of experts in epidemiology, public health, and immunizations from across the GCC. Participants discussed key regional and international experiences in measles elimination and identified priorities for the upcoming phase.