Manama: The Royal Medical Services (RMS) of the Bahrain Defence Force, represented by Brigadier General Dr. Shaikh Fahad bin Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, Commander of RMS, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the United States Central Command (CENTCOM), represented by Colonel Larry McCord, Command Surgeon for CENTCOM, to strengthen medical cooperation between the two parties.
According to Bahrain News Agency, the MoU is designed to support joint research and training initiatives. It will enable Bahraini medical personnel to gain from the expertise of visiting U.S. doctors and utilize RMS facilities to provide care to U.S. personnel, thereby enhancing the overall standard of medical services in the Kingdom.
Brigadier General Dr. Shaikh Fahad bin Khalifa referred to the MoU as a key milestone in Bahrain-U.S. cooperation and a strategic step in advancing international medical collaboration. He stated that the Bahrain Medical Cooperation Programme will allow joint military medical teams to exchange expertise, enhance readiness, improve crisis response, and save lives, highlighting the professionalism of armed forces medical personnel while promoting learning and long-term collaboration.
Colonel McCord emphasized the programme as the first of its kind in the Middle East, enhancing medical readiness and knowledge exchange between U.S. and Bahraini military teams. It aims to support humanitarian missions and strengthen the health and safety of personnel, illustrating the strong friendship and mutual respect between the two nations.
The signing ceremony was attended by senior leaders and directors of RMS hospitals and medical centers, along with top officials and directors from both sides.