Saudi health minister oversees new healthcare partnership agreements with Uzbekistan

Saudi Minister of Health Fahd Al-Jalajel participated in a healthcare sector roundtable in Tashkent, attended by Tamila Anvarovna Alieva, Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration for Health Sector Reform in Uzbekistan, Jamshid Khodjaev, Deputy Prime Minister, and Eldor Idiev, Uzbek Minister of Health.

The meeting was part of Al-Jalajel’s official visit to Uzbekistan, aimed at exploring opportunities for cooperation, investment, and knowledge exchange in the healthcare sector. Al-Jalajel highlighted that the growing relationship between Saudi Arabia and Uzbekistan is opening up broad prospects for health and investment partnerships, supported by the leadership of both countries.

He also pointed to Saudi Arabia’s achievements under the Health Sector Transformation Program, a key part of Vision 2030, which offers promising opportunities for collaboration and knowledge sharing to develop healthcare services and enhance quality of life in both nations.

Agreements and memoranda to strengthen cooperation

The roundtable brought together 75 participants, including senior government officials and representatives from the health and investment sectors of both countries, among them 60 private sector CEOs. Discussions focused on expanding investment partnerships, empowering the private sector, and exploring promising opportunities in healthcare, as well as cooperation in pharmaceuticals, health technologies, digital transformation, and innovation.

The health minister witnessed the signing of several agreements, memoranda of understanding, and executive programs reflecting the deepening healthcare partnership between the two countries and paving the way for new avenues of cooperation and investment in priority areas.

• An executive program between the Virtual Health Hospital and the Uzbek Ministry of Health for collaboration in virtual healthcare.
• An executive program between Saudi Arabia’s National Health Insurance Center and Uzbekistan’s State Health Insurance Fund for cooperation in healthcare financing, joint training, and research.
• A memorandum of understanding between Lean Business Services and the Uzbek Ministry of Health to advance digital health transformation, provide consultancy support, and build capacities.
• Three memoranda of understanding signed by the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties with the Uzbek Ministry of Health, Tashkent Medical Academy, and the Center for Professional Qualifications Development to enhance education, training programs, and support the healthcare workforce.

Strengthening Saudi Arabia’s position in health innovation

These initiatives are part of the Ministry of Health’s efforts to boost international cooperation, expand investment partnerships, and exchange expertise, contributing to the goals of the Health Sector Transformation Program and reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s status as a global center for health innovation and a trusted partner in healthcare development and investment.