The Gulf Center for Disease Prevention and Control discussed the 2024 Action Plan in its eleventh meeting held on September 5, 2023, at the center's headquarters in Riyadh. The meeting was attended by representatives from member countries.
The meeting focused on the implementation and activation of the center's main programs, as well as the objectives and mechanisms for the execution of the 2024 executive plan, all of which are aimed at benefiting the people and healthcare institutions in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.
Representatives from the GCC member states attended the meeting, including Dr. Hussein Al-Rand from the United Arab Emirates, Dr. Ijlaal Al-Alawi from the Kingdom of Bahrain, Dr. Abdullah Al-Qwaizani from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Dr. Amal Al-Maaniya from the Sultanate of Oman, Dr. Mohammed Al-Thani from the State of Qatar, and Dr. Munther Al-Husawi from the State of Kuwait. The meeting was also attended by Mr. Suleiman Al-Dakhil, the General Manager of the Gulf Health Council, and Dr. Bassi Bassi Pantinen, the CEO of the Center.
It's worth noting that the establishment of the Gulf Center for Disease Prevention and Control and its strategic plan were approved by the GCC leaders during their 41st session in Al-Ula, Saudi Arabia, in January 2021. The leaders agreed to establish the "Gulf Center for Disease Prevention and Control" and expedite its activation to coordinate joint Gulf efforts in public and preventive health. The center serves as a Gulf observatory to monitor the spread of epidemics like COVID-19 and operates under the auspices of the GCC Health Council.