Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Anupriya Singh Patel, recently concluded a successful visit to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, where she held significant discussions on the future of healthcare cooperation between India and Saudi Arabia.
During her visit, Patel met with Saudi Arabia’s Health Minister, Fahd bin Abdulrahman Al Jaljel, for a courtesy meeting. The two leaders engaged in constructive talks, focusing on enhancing the strategic partnership in the health sector between the two nations.
In a statement on social media, Patel expressed her satisfaction with the outcome of the meeting, noting that the discussions were productive and aimed at strengthening health ties.
She emphasised the importance of collaboration between India and Saudi Arabia, particularly in the health sector, which plays a crucial role in the welfare of both countries.
This meeting is seen as a step toward fostering deeper ties in healthcare, with the potential for long-term benefits in terms of medical research, technology exchange, and healthcare systems improvement.
In addition to her meeting with Minister Al Jaljel, Patel also participated in the 4th High-Level Ministerial Conference on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), held in Jeddah.
The conference addressed one of the most pressing global health threats — antimicrobial resistance. AMR is an issue that requires urgent and coordinated action, and Patel highlighted India's commitment to tackling this challenge.
The country advocates for a comprehensive approach to improving AMR detection and surveillance across multiple sectors, including human, animal, plant health, and the environment.
The Indian government has stressed the need for a "One Health" approach to combat AMR, which involves collaboration across various health sectors to prevent the spread of resistance.
Patel shared India’s proposals to strengthen the global fight against AMR, particularly by enhancing data-driven antimicrobial usage at the local and national levels.
She also voiced India's support for creating an AMR Multi-partner Trust Fund and the establishment of an Independent Panel on Evidence for Action against AMR by 2025.
Furthermore, Patel highlighted the importance of addressing barriers to access and affordability of antimicrobials, diagnostics, and vaccines, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
These nations face significant challenges in ensuring the availability of essential health services and treatments, making it critical to remove financial and logistical barriers that hinder access to life-saving drugs and medical interventions.
During her visit, Patel also took the opportunity to meet with members of the Indian diaspora in Saudi Arabia. The estimated 2.6 million Indians living in Saudi Arabia contribute significantly to the economic and social fabric of the kingdom.
Patel expressed her gratitude for their efforts in strengthening the relationship between the two countries. The Indian expatriates in Saudi Arabia are actively involved in various sectors, from healthcare to engineering, making a substantial contribution to the development of both nations.
Patel’s visit to Saudi Arabia highlights the growing importance of international collaboration in the healthcare sector. The discussions held during her meetings are expected to lead to further partnerships between India and Saudi Arabia, particularly in areas such as medical research, healthcare policy, and AMR control.
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