Manama: Lieutenant General Dr. Shaikh Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, Chairman of the Supreme Council for Health (SCH), inaugurated the Effective Vaccine Management workshop in Bahrain. Dr. Jaleela bint Al Sayed Jawad Hassan, the Minister of Health, was also present at the event.
According to Bahrain News Agency, the workshop, which will be hosted by Bahrain until August 20, is organized by the SCH and Shifa National Medical Supply. It brings together public health specialists and healthcare professionals with the aim of enhancing national capabilities and facilitating the exchange of expertise and practices in vaccine management and supply chains.
In his opening remarks, Lt. Gen. Dr. Shaikh Mohammed bin Abdullah highlighted the steadfast support Bahrain's health sector receives under the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and the directives of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister. This support, he noted, contributes to the ongoing development of the healthcare system, enhancing the quality and efficiency of services provided to citizens and residents.
He emphasized Bahrain's prioritization of immunization and vaccination as crucial components of public health and disease prevention, reaffirming the Kingdom's commitment to updating national vaccination programs in line with scientific advancements and international best practices. The hosting of the workshop, he said, underscores Bahrain's commitment to strengthening the immunization system and improving vaccine supply chain efficiency to ensure timely and safe delivery of vaccines to beneficiaries.
Lt. Gen. Dr. Shaikh Mohammed bin Abdullah remarked on the importance of an integrated approach to the success of immunization programs, covering all stages from planning and procurement to delivery, while maintaining quality and safety throughout the supply chain. The Effective Vaccine Management initiative, he noted, offers a framework for assessing and improving supply chain performance, enhancing storage, transportation, inventory management, and quality assurance.
Minister of Health Dr. Jaleela bint Al Sayed Jawad Hassan underscored Bahrain's comprehensive national vaccination program, which covers various age groups, including newborns, children, students, adults, and those at higher risk of health complications. She highlighted the continuous updates to the national vaccination schedule and the introduction of appropriate vaccines aligned with scientific developments and health needs.
The Health Minister stressed the significance of training national professionals, including specialists, nurses, pharmacists, and public health experts, as a vital investment in sustainable capabilities for managing vaccine supply chains efficiently. She noted that immunization is one of the most successful public health interventions for disease prevention.
She further emphasized the need to continuously develop immunization systems, invest in human resources, enhance infrastructure and monitoring systems, and utilize modern technologies to support quality, efficiency, and sustainability in vaccination programs. The workshop featured participation from immunization experts and specialists, including Bader bin Saif Al Rawahi, Director of the Communicable Diseases Department, Noura bint Mohammed Al Farsi, Head of the Vaccines Section at the Ministry of Health of Oman, and Dr. Basma Mahmood Al Saffar, Head of the Disease Control Section at Bahrain's Ministry of Health.