Saudi Arabia's Health Initiatives Underlined By SFDA CEO At WHO Regional Meeting

Dr. Hisham Aljadhey, CEO of the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA), has highlighted the Kingdom's commitment to its Vision 2030. This vision is structured around three main pillars: a vibrant society, a thriving economy, and an ambitious nation. Several national programs have been initiated to achieve these objectives, including the Health Sector Transformation Program.

The Health Sector Transformation Program aims to enhance human health by improving access to healthcare services and shifting the focus from curative to preventive care. Dr. Aljadhey shared these insights during his participation in the 72nd Session of the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Committee for the Eastern Mediterranean (RC72) in Egypt from October 15 to 17.

Saudi Arabia, through the SFDA, has launched initiatives to promote community health. These include reducing sugar and salt content in foods, banning hydrogenated fats, and supporting innovative medicines for serious diseases. These efforts aim to improve nutritional value and public health outcomes.

Dr. Aljadhey expressed pride in the strong partnership with WHO, which led to the SFDA being designated as a collaborating center in areas like medical devices, nutrition, and food safety. This collaboration also involves joint efforts in training and enhancing legislative and regulatory capacities.

The Kingdom's initiatives reflect its Vision 2030 mission of placing people at the heart of development. Health is seen as fundamental for prosperous and stable societies. The SFDA's work aligns with this mission by focusing on community health improvements.

Dr. Aljadhey emphasized that these efforts are part of Saudi Arabia’s broader strategy under Vision 2030. The goal is to ensure that health remains a cornerstone of societal development, contributing to a thriving economy and an ambitious nation.

With inputs from SPA