Eastern Mediterranean Region Vision 2023 and expansion of WHO presence at country level: new WHO offices in Bahrain and Kuwait

ABSTRACT

[...]WHO/EMRO had always provided technical support and engaged in policy dialogues and capacity development initiatives with the three countries, through important high level advocacy meetings, innovative technical initiatives, and dedicated desk officers based in WHO Saudi Arabia country office and the Regional Office. Bahrain and Kuwait s national development visions and national health strategies are aligned with the SDGs and positioned health at the centre of their national strategies. [...]both countries expressed high-level commitment to Universal Health Coverage (UHC), signing in 2018 the landmark Salalah Declaration joining the UHC 2030 compact (5) and to have primary health care (PHC) at the centre of their health strategies. [...]focusing family medicine practice, integrating noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), immunizations targets, adopting multisectoral approaches to address the social and environmental determinants of health, and developing national action plans for health security.