Doha, 20 February 2024(TDI): Lolwah bint Rashid Al Khater, Minister of State for International Cooperation at Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, participated in the launch of the Doha Global South Health Policy Initiative.
Lolwah bint Rashid Al Khater stated that Qatar is actively working to enhance basic healthcare in the Global South.
The Doha Global South Health Policy Initiative, launched by the Middle East Council on Global Affairs and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation with support from Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, aims to provide comprehensive access to healthcare and basic medical services to low- and middle-income countries in the Global South.
Additionally, it seeks to promote the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals and tackle medical gaps.
Launch of Doha Global South Health Policy Initiative
According to reports, the launch event, held at the Sheraton Grand Doha, was attended by prominent figures, including the Minister of State for International Cooperation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Lolwah Rashid AlKhater, the Minister of Public Health, Dr. Hanan Mohamed al-Kuwari, and former minister Hessa al-Jaber.
Also present was Dr. Chris Elias, president of the Global Development Division at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
During the opening of the Doha Global South Health Policy Initiative, Lolwah bint Rashid Al Khater addressed a high-level public event.
Theme of initiative
The event was themed “Enhancing Primary Healthcare Access in the Global South: Challenges and Solutions.”
“Together we can build healthier, more resilient communities and achieve the vision of health for all,” she reported in a statement.
“Focusing on public health issues in the Global South aligns very well with the development priorities of the country and the strategic vision of the Qatar Fund for Development,” she added.
Moreover, she added that the State of Qatar played an important and consistent role in promoting discussions on development goals.
Furthermore, in 2023, she confirmed that the State of Qatar organized the fifth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries.
Also Read: Qatar ready to host 5th UN Conference on LDCs in Doha
Insights from Discussions
During the discussions, Dr. Elias stated, “Over the last 20 years, the world has cut child mortality in half.”
“Sadly, in the last decade, we’ve seen that progress slow down,” he added.
Dr. Yousef, who moderated the panel, concluded the discussion by outlining the plan of action for the next two days.
He stated, “Our role is to facilitate these conversations and see how we can work together.”
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