Latvia and the UAE sign memorandum of understanding on health cooperation

RIGA - The ministers of health of Latvia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) signed a memorandum of understanding in Dubai on Monday on strengthening cooperation in health, envisaging closer cooperation in health care, medical science, and the development of digital health solutions, the Latvian Health Ministry informed LETA.

The memorandum was signed by Latvian Health Minister Hosams Abu Meri (New Unity) and UAE Minister of Health and Prevention Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh in the presence of Latvian Prime Minister Evika Silina (New Unity) on the sidelines of the World Government Summit.

The memorandum provides for cooperation between the two countries in the field of disease prevention, treatment, and control, with a particular focus on the use of modern medical technologies in public health, epidemiology, and disease outbreak management. It also provides for an exchange of experience in the organization of health systems and the management of processes to improve access to and quality of services.

Cooperation will also include regular exchanges of experience and know-how among health professionals, strengthening professional competencies and international cooperation, with particular emphasis on innovation and digital solutions in health care.

After signing the memorandum, Abu Meri stressed that it is an important basis for developing a strategic partnership between Latvia and the UAE. The signing of the document opens opportunities to jointly develop innovation and research, including in biomedicine, artificial intelligence, and data analytics solutions, as well as to establish joint projects and strengthen knowledge exchange, the minister noted.

The minister also noted Latvia's interest in expanding cooperation with the UAE in the field of health tourism, noting that Latvian private medical institutions offer high-quality services and are ready to develop cooperation, including in telemedicine. At the same time, Latvia is also interested in partnership in the field of digital health.

During his visit to the UAE, Abu Meri also visited Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, one of the most modern hospitals in the region.

On Tuesday, the Latvian health minister is scheduled to take part in a discussion, XDGs 2045: Advancing the Future of Global Development, at the World Government Summit.

Last year, Abu Meri signed a memorandum of understanding with Malaffi, a health data services organization, with whose leadership he met during his visit to Abu Dhabi, agreeing on the next steps of cooperation and Malaffi representatives' planned visit to Riga.

The Latvian delegation is in Dubai on a working visit to promote cooperation between Latvia and the UAE, export opportunities and investment attraction. The health minister is on the working visit to the UAE from February 2 to 5.