11 August 2025, Manama, Bahrain – World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean Dr Hanan Balkhy has completed her first official visit – from 4 to 6 August 2025 – to the Kingdom of Bahrain.
The visit reaffirmed the longstanding strategic partnership between WHO and the Government of Bahrain, highlighted Bahrain’s progress in advancing national and regional health priorities and set out a clear roadmap for enhanced cooperation in the years ahead.
Dr Balkhy met with national health leaders, including Chairman of the Supreme Council for Health Lieutenant General Dr Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdullah Al-Khalifa and Minister of Health Dr Jaleela bint Al-Sayed Jawad Hassan. They reviewed Bahrain’s health sector achievements and identified specific areas for future collaboration, with a focus on the 3 regional flagship initiatives.
Dr Balkhy held discussions with Commander of the Royal Medical Services Brigadier General Dr Shaikh Fahad bin Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa on national initiatives to strengthen the health workforce, and with members of the national health working groups on multisectoral strategies to address communicable and noncommunicable diseases.
Continuous strengthening of primary health care, investment in a skilled and future-ready health workforce and the integration of innovation and technology into all levels of service delivery are central to Bahrain’s National