The Ministry of Health convened a meeting on Monday with the World Health Organization (WHO) to explore ways to improve health planning and expand primary healthcare services, as part of a strategic partnership aimed at enhancing service quality across the country.

The talks, held at the ministry’s headquarters and chaired by the Director of the Health Planning and Research Office, grouped officials from the planning and international cooperation departments.

Participants agreed to strengthen technical support for developing a strategic primary healthcare plan and to update public health programs to meet current needs.

Discussions also focused on modernizing health data collection and analysis systems to support evidence-based decision-making, coordinating training programs and workshops to improve the skills and performance of healthcare staff, and reviewing hospitals and health facilities against accreditation standards.

The meeting further addressed regulating pricing for medications for chronic diseases—including diabetes, hypertension, kidney diseases, and cancer—to ensure consistent availability at affordable prices.