Higher Council of Health launched

The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) has launched the Higher Council of Health, which was decreed by the Council of Ministers.

The Council aims at involving the private sector, syndicates and universities in setting healthcare policy and strategy.

The Council includes the Chairmen of the Syndicate of Private Hospitals, Order of Physicians, Order of Pharmacists, Order of Dentists, and representatives from the civil society and ministers including the Ministries of Environment and Social Affairs.

The Council’s role will be setting the general guidelines to reform the health sector in the long term based on the strategy set by the MoPH's ‘Health 2025’.

The strategy includes reforming the hospitalization sector and providing full health coverage for citizens. The MoPH will start working with all the concerned parties to reconsider the laws and regulations that require updates, and will propose draft laws to develop the healthcare sector.

The Council will also work to encourage health tourism as well as developing the health and pharmaceutical industries, and medical professions to reach a comprehensive health system throughout the country.

The Council will meet periodically and play a consultancy role to revive the health sector.