Manama: Dr. Jaleela bint Al Sayed Jawad Hassan, the Minister of Health, took part in a significant virtual meeting with African heads of state, government officials, and international partners to discuss the ongoing Ebola (Bundibugyo) outbreak.
According to Bahrain News Agency, the meeting was led by His Excellency ‚¬Å¡¬€¦¡¬°variste Ndayishimiye, President of the Republic of Burundi and Chairperson of the African Union (AU). It was organized by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and included participation from the Director-General of the World Health Organisation (WHO), alongside representatives from international institutions, humanitarian organizations, and other international partners.
In her remarks, Dr. Jaleela emphasized Bahrain's dedication to enhancing international cooperation in addressing cross-border health challenges. She underscored the necessity of unifying efforts to support the joint response plan and regional preparedness initiatives spearheaded by Africa CDC in collaboration with the WHO. Dr. Jaleela further pointed out that tackling the challenges presented by the Ebola outbreak demands a coordinated and swift international response. This response should concentrate on surveillance, early detection, epidemiological investigations, strengthening healthcare facility capacities, building community trust in healthcare protocols, and ensuring the continuity of medical supply chains.
During the meeting, participants reviewed a comprehensive report on the epidemiological developments and outbreak indicators. Discussions were also held regarding the key operational and field challenges facing response teams in the affected areas. The meeting concluded with the adoption of a joint statement outlining commitments and pledges to support collective efforts in containing the outbreak and protecting global health systems.