WHO adopts Saudi initiative on medical care for large gatherings

May 26, 2012

The General Assembly of the World Health Organization (WHO) has adopted the initiative of Saudi Arabia on establishing a program concerned with providing medical care during large gatherings, in order to maintain global health security. The decision was made during the 65th session of the WHO General Assembly, now in progress in Geneva. The Saudi delegation to the meeting is headed by Minister of Health Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah.

In a statement, the WHO noted that large human gatherings have major effects on public health and pose a risk to health security. Adopting this initiative will contribute to the study of the issue and will enhance the capacity of the medical infrastructures of host countries to take proactive and preventive measures to counter the spread of epidemic diseases, it added.

Saudi Arabia’s success in providing medical care for millions of pilgrims from around the world every year has provided a wealth of expertise from which other countries can benefit.