His Excellency Mr Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), stated that the health of the Gulf child is a strategic priority for building the future of the Council states.
He stressed that Gulf health action is not limited to awareness alone, but rather encompasses an integrated system within a Gulf health strategy (2026-2030) that contributes to the consolidation of Gulf health security as a cornerstone of stability and development in the region.
This came during His Excellency's speech at the first Gulf Conference on Pediatrics, hosted by the State of Kuwait, in the presence of His Excellency Dr Ahmed Abdulwahab Al Awadhi, Minister of Health of the State of Kuwait, and with the participation of a number of specialists, doctors, and researchers from the GCC states and brotherly and friendly countries, today, Saturday, October 11, 2025, in Kuwait City.
In his speech, His Excellency the GCC Secretary General affirmed that the GCC states give paramount importance to human health, considering it a "strategic investment in people and development." He pointed out that the number of doctors in the GCC countries reached approximately 185,000 by 2023, working in 863 hospitals and 3,400 health centres and complexes, reflecting the readiness and efficiency of the Gulf health systems.
His Excellency explained that child health represents the cornerstone of building Gulf society, with the number of children up to the age of fourteen reaching about 7.9 million, in addition to 2.19 million young men and women in the (15-19) age group. This necessitates the strengthening of preventive and awareness programmes directed at this group as they are "the wealth of our nations and the pillar of development," His Excellency stated.
Moreover, His Excellency highlighted the most prominent joint Gulf initiatives concerned with child health, including the "Get Immunised, Be Reassured" campaign, through which vaccines have contributed to a 40% reduction in infant mortality over the past fifty years, and the "Breathe Consciously" campaign to raise awareness about respiratory diseases.
"This is in addition to the growing interest in the mental health of adolescents and the organisation of specialised Gulf days such as Gulf Children's Day, Gulf Immunisation Week, and Gulf Diabetes Week, as well as the inclusion of Gulf Red Crescent Day in school activities to instill the values of giving and responsibility in the youth." His Excellency pointed out.
Besides, His Excellency underscored that Gulf health action is based on a Gulf health strategy (2026-2030) that aims to consolidate health security as a pillar of stability and development by raising life expectancy, reducing mortality, and preventing non-communicable diseases. He called for strengthening research partnerships and innovation in the fields of diagnosis and treatment, investing in artificial intelligence, and exchanging data and expertise among Gulf reference centres.
In concluding his speech, His Excellency the GCC Secretary General expressed his confidence that this conference will contribute to formulating practical recommendations that support health decision-makers in the GCC states and enhance policies for the quality of life of the Gulf child.
He extended his thanks to Dr Sundus Ibrahim Al Shareedah for all the efforts made to organise this important conference, and to the Ministry of Health, the organising bodies, and all participants, wishing them success.
