RIYADH — The C3 Saudi-US Healthcare Forum that concluded last week resulted in a series of recommendations for both regions to take action in forming more diverse dialogue and trusted partnerships in the healthcare industry. In the presence of representatives of participating health institutes and local and international healthcare experts, the organizing committee called in particular for improved communication between each other, including more efficiency in promoting dialogue and growing existing relationships to facilitate new ventures and opportunities among Saudis and Americans in the field of healthcare. Adel Abdul Shakoor, president of event organizer XS Conferences & Exhibitions, said that the forum resulted in recommendations that would be implemented in next year's event. Shakoor said it was decided to establish a Saudi-American healthcare committee under the Saudi American Business Center that would be responsible for transferring knowledge and experience and planning training programs and professional visits. He said: “A second recommendation is conducting workshops, training courses and medical exhibitions. “The third one is to initiate a Saudi-American medical best practice award to recognize distinguished healthcare experts.” The committee recommended the Saudi-American Healthcare Forum be held annually and said a unified command system for disaster management under the GCC umbrella should be set up. It also recommended facilitating healthcare investments between Saudi and American health companies. Speaking about the forum that was attended by an international delegation of up to 1,200 attendees from more than 30 countries, Shakoor said: “The event gathered leaders, policy-makers, educators and medical professionals to uncover and promote both US and Saudi initiatives that are focused on healthcare improvements and the forum has witnessed great success.” He noted that it was an ideal platform for joint ventures and partnerships between influential decision makers in Saudi Arabia and in the US. The C3 Saudi-American Healthcare Forum, titled “Improving Healthcare Through Bilateral Knowledge,” discussed the most up-to-date information on important healthcare topics including infrastructure, the shift from communicable diseases, the future of primary healthcare and cooperative assistance for knowledge transfer. According to Shakoor, “The fight against disease is not a fight for glory. “It is about resources and research and about access to the best healthcare services in order to improve survival and quality of life. “It is a fight for a better and healthier life for all of us, but most of all for our children who will live in this very interconnected world.”
