RIYADH, 7 April 2007 — Saudi Arabia will join today other member countries of the World Health Organization (WHO) to celebrate the World Health Day.
The annual event, which marks the establishment of the World Health Organization in 1948, is an occasion to raise awareness of key global health issues. This year’s theme is international health security.
Health Minister Dr. Hamad Al-Manie is slated to issue a message to the nation today highlighting the importance of the day. Saudi radio and television will carry special programs to propagate the theme.
Health Ministry spokesman Khaled Al-Mirghalani told Arab News that the ministry had sent out instructions to all heads of the regional health centers to carry the health message among the members of the public by organizing functions that would be relevant to their respective areas.
Governments need to be ready to handle crisis situations so that damage to people and the economy could be minimized, he said. “Everyone is encouraged to seize the opportunity by joining hands to achieve collective security from disease, protect global health and make the world a more secure environment,” said Mirghalani.
Coinciding with the event, Prince Miteb ibn Abdullah, assistant deputy commander of the National Guard for military affairs, will inaugurate the International Dental Symposium in Riyadh today. The program is being sponsored by King Abdul Aziz Medical City.
