Ministers of Health from Saudi Arabia and Singapore met to advance cooperation in healthcare innovation, workforce development, and global health initiatives.

RIYADH, 28 November 2024 – Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Health, Fahad Al-Jalajel, held a pivotal meeting with Singapore’s Minister of Health, Ong Ye Kung, during an official visit to Singapore. The discussions aimed to deepen collaboration in the healthcare sector through innovative delivery models and digital solutions to tackle global health challenges.

Key areas of focus included vaccine development, localisation, and secure supply chains. Both nations also explored adopting cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data analytics, and robotic healthcare to enhance service quality. Workforce development strategies for medical professionals, researchers, and developers were also highlighted.

The meeting underscored the importance of combating antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and reflected on the success of the “Jeddah Declaration,” which emerged from Saudi Arabia’s hosting of the fourth Global High-Level Ministerial Conference on AMR earlier this month. Both ministers reaffirmed their commitment to the “One Health” approach and the “Health in All Policies” (HIAP) framework for sustainable global health outcomes.

Minister Al-Jalajel praised Singapore’s healthcare system, renowned for its quality and accessibility, and its achievement of an average life expectancy of 84 years. He expressed Saudi Arabia’s aspirations to establish one of the world’s most advanced healthcare systems by integrating innovative models and international best practices.

The visit culminated in the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to bolster Saudi Arabia-Singapore cooperation in healthcare. The agreement aims to drive investment and innovation, enhance supply chain resilience, and advance specialised education and training for healthcare professionals.

During his visit, Minister Al-Jalajel toured Singapore’s Health Promotion Board, Agency for Integrated Care, and the HealthTech Agency, studying their pioneering approaches to health promotion and integrated care.

Source: SPA