The 12th meeting of the Committee of Health Ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states was held in Manama on Sunday, with the participation of GCC health ministers, including Kuwait’s Minister of Health Dr. Ahmad Al-Awadhi. Bahraini Health Minister Dr. Jalila bint Al-Sayed Jawad Hassan, who chaired the meeting, stressed the importance of continuing to strengthen health cooperation and integration among GCC states, as well as developing mechanisms for coordination and exchanging expertise and information.

She said such efforts would support the preparedness of health systems, ensure the sustainability of services and supply chains, and enhance their ability to address rapidly evolving health challenges. In her address, Hassan also touched on current security and regional developments and their repercussions on the countries of the region, expressing Bahrain’s condemnation of what she described as “heinous Iranian attacks” against Bahrain, GCC states and Jordan. She said the attacks constituted violations of international law, the UN Charter and UN Security Council Resolution 2817, resulting in repercussions for lives and infrastructure, transportation and supply chains, including essential and medical supplies.