Saudi Gazette/Okaz

JEDDAH — The Gulf Cooperation Council member states are setting up a center to combat coronavirus and other epidemics.

The plan for a regional health facility was approved at the GCC summit held in the historic Saudi city of AlUla on Tuesday.

The integrated center will seek to boost cooperation in the public health sector and lay down joint policies.

It will also enhance coordination and build knowledge to curb the spread of contagious and non-contagious diseases, address public health emergencies, and improve the health of local communities across the Gulf region.

The new center will be part of the GCC Health Council and will play an important role in the prevention of contagious diseases in the region by constant follow-up of cases, assessment of dangers, and implementation of programs to eliminate them.

It will also work to consolidate regional health training and utilization of public health data to draw up joint health Gulf indexes and research as well as boost institutional action.