Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Health, Fahad bin Abdulrahman AlJalajel, is leading an official visit to the Republic of France, where he will visit Paris and Lyon with the aim of enhancing cooperation between the two countries in the health sector.
As part of the visit, AlJalajel will witness the signing of a number of memorandums of cooperation between Saudi Arabia and France in the fields of digital health, pharmaceutical industry and ambulatory services.
His Excellency is being accompanied by a high-level delegation from the Ministry of Health, the Food and Drug Authority, the Saudi Red Crescent Authority, the Public Health Authority, Seha Virtual Hospital, the Ministerial Committee for Health in All Policies, Health Holding Company, and a number of officials.
Cooperation in digital health and advanced medical technologies
As part of the official visit, AlJalajel attended the Saudi-French healthcare meeting, organized by the Saudi-French Business Council in Paris. The event focused on enhancing economic cooperation in vital sectors, with an emphasis on healthcare, biotechnology and foreign and private investments, in support of the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.
It also discussed the prospects for partnership between Saudi Arabia and France in the fields of digital health and advanced medical technologies, enhancing opportunities for joint investment and aligning with the aspirations of both countries to develop their healthcare sectors.
In his speech, the health minister emphasized the depth of the strategic relations between Saudi Arabia and France, noting that this strong partnership reflects a shared commitment to advancing global health and addressing health challenges.
Minister AlJalajel also noted that the discussions focused on areas of cooperation, particularly in supporting innovation in biotechnology and localizing the healthcare industry to enhance resilience and sustainability.
The event concluded with both sides emphasizing the importance of strengthening economic partnerships and expanding avenues for cooperation to achieve mutual interests and the shared vision of the future between the two countries.
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During the visit, AlJalajel also held two high-level bilateral meetings in Paris. He met with Advisor to the French President Anne-Claire Legendre at the Elysée Palace, where they discussed ways to enhance the partnership between Saudi Arabia and France in health-related fields and expand strategic cooperation, particularly in developing health systems, fostering medical innovation and facilitating the exchange of expertise between the sides.
The minister also held a meeting with Minister of State for Digital Affairs Clara Chappaz. The two officials discussed prospects for cooperation in artificial intelligence (AI) technologies and their applications in the health sector, with a focus on improving healthcare quality and enhancing service efficiency.
In addition, AlJalajel met with Saudi scholarship students in Paris, commending their academic excellence and their active role in representing the Kingdom at international scientific forums. He emphasized the importance of their contributions to the future of the health sector through knowledge and innovation.
