Health Minister Holds High-Level Meetings in Paris and Witnesses Signing of 3 MOUs to Enhance Health Partnership with France

During his official visit to France, Minister of Health Fahd bin Abdulrahman Al-Jalajel held a series of high-level bilateral meetings with several French ministers, including Minister of Labor, Health, Solidarity, and Family Affairs Catherine Fautar and Minister of Health and Access to Care in France, Yann Naudet. The discussions focused on expanding bilateral cooperation and strengthening partnerships in the healthcare sector between the Kingdom and France, collaboration in scientific research and innovation in healthcare, enhancing healthcare capabilities, and promoting the link between health and social development within the community. They also reviewed investment opportunities and possible alliances as part of the healthcare sector transformation program, one of the strategic programs of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.

To emphasize the depth of the healthcare relationships and expand the partnership between the two countries, three memoranda of understanding were signed in the presence of the ministers. The Saudi Red Crescent Authority and Assistance Publique – Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP) signed a memorandum of understanding to develop emergency services in the Kingdom by applying the best practices of the French emergency healthcare model, exchanging experiences, and collaborating in specialized research areas. Furthermore, the General Authority for Food and Drug Administration and the National Agency for Health, Food, Environmental, and Occupational Safety signed an agreement for cooperation and information exchange in the field of veterinary drug control, sharing experts and consultants to transfer knowledge and experience, and enhancing cooperation in international forums and registering veterinary drugs in both countries. Additionally, the Ministry of Health, represented by the Virtual Health Hospital, signed a strategic executive program with the Gustave Roussy International Foundation – one of the world’s leading centers for cancer treatment – to collaborate in research, innovation, and digital health in the field of oncology.

Minister Al-Jalajel also visited “Station F,” the world’s largest startup campus, where he met with entrepreneurs and innovators in the healthcare technology sector. He discussed opportunities for cooperation to support innovation and entrepreneurship in the Saudi healthcare sector and enhance digital initiatives in healthcare. This visit highlighted the importance of international partnerships and knowledge exchange to advance healthcare services and research. The signed agreements and strategic programs aim to promote scientific collaboration, innovation, and the development of healthcare services in both countries, aligning with the Vision 2030 goals for transformation and modernization. The meetings and agreements mark a significant step towards strengthening the healthcare sector and fostering long-term cooperation between Saudi Arabia and France.