Riyadh: Minister of Health Fahad bin Abdulrahman Al-Jalajel and Co-Chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Bill Gates, witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Saudi Ministry of Health and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation today during the World Economic Forum (WEF) Special Meeting held in Riyadh.
This agreement is among several agreements signed by the foundation with the Kingdom.
The Health Minister indicated that the memorandum of understanding (MoU) focuses on cooperation between the ministry and the organization in several areas to enhance disease surveillance and diagnostic tools, provide safe health solutions, and offer technical assistance to strengthen vaccine-manufacturing capabilities in the Kingdom.
This, he said, aims to assist low- and middle-income countries in accessing vaccines at lower costs and addressing polio, contributing to global preparedness and response to pandemics and other global health issues. Moreover, the minister revealed the MoU
aligns with the Kingdom’s renewed and significant interest in enhancing public health and developing healthcare services.
“It marks the first step towards achieving the shared goal between the Kingdom and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, which is to ensure equitable access to healthcare services for all, especially those living in underserved areas. This step is part of global efforts to unify actions and work on various global health issues and challenges,” the minister said.
It also reflects the commitment of the Kingdom and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to achieve sustainable development goals (SDGs) and improve people’s lives worldwide, the minister noted.
Bill Gates, in turn, expressed pride in partnering with Saudi Arabia in these important humanitarian efforts, noting that this type of collaboration reflects a commitment to working diligently towards positively impacting people’s lives.
“I am proud to see Saudi Arabia, alongside partners across the Middle East, stepping up to deliver
more vaccines against polio, measles, and other vital health services to millions of children yearly. This global health investment will contribute to strengthening and building more resilient health systems and communities at a time when the world is facing multiple crises,” Bill Gates said.
He added that it is encouraging to see new support for long-term partnerships like the Live and Livelihoods Fund (LLF), which has played a prominent role in lifting millions of people out of poverty.
Source: Saudi Press Agency