Amman: Ahmed bin Ali Al Sayegh, Minister of Health and Prevention (MoHAP), led the UAE’s delegation at the 8th Session of the Islamic Conference of Health Ministers of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Jordan. The conference runs from 7th to 9th October under the theme ‘Health is our shared responsibility.’
According to Emirates News Agency, the conference gathered Ministers of Health from OIC member states and representatives from regional and international health organisations. In his opening remarks, Al Sayegh emphasized the UAE’s commitment, guided by its leadership, to actively support the OIC’s efforts in enhancing integration across health sectors. He reiterated the UAE’s dedication to developing joint policies and plans aimed at achieving universal health coverage and the Sustainable Development Goals.
Al Sayegh highlighted the UAE’s eagerness to share its experiences in tackling health challenges and exchanging expertise with member states within a unified framework. He praised the OIC’s significant role in fostering cooperation among member states in the health sector, particularly in supporting joint initiatives, building national capacities, and developing health emergency systems to tackle health challenges like epidemics and chronic diseases.
He underscored the necessity of joint action and the application of modern technologies and artificial intelligence in prevention and care. Al Sayegh also commended the collaboration with the Organisation during the UAE’s presidency of the 7th session in Abu Dhabi in 2019. He noted this partnership was evident during the COVID-19 pandemic when the UAE provided logistical support to several member states, reinforcing its commitment to institutional solidarity and advancing partnerships under the OIC’s umbrella.
Al Sayegh presented the UAE’s comprehensive experience in establishing an integrated and sustainable health system, which includes an advanced digital healthcare ecosystem aligned with global standards. This system ensures service quality and accessibility while leveraging innovative technologies and artificial intelligence to deliver services and strengthen strategic public-private partnerships.
Additionally, the UAE has fostered a supportive regulatory environment for medical innovation and health technology, promoted collaborations in medical research and biotechnology, and utilized big data and digital solutions for health planning and strategy development, in line with the UAE Centennial 2071 vision.
On the conference sidelines, Al Sayegh met with Dr. Malik Mukhtar Ahmad, Minister of State for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination of Pakistan, to discuss enhancing bilateral cooperation in the health sector. The discussions included plans for signing memorandums of understanding on organ transplantation to exchange medical expertise and expand health coordination.