Oman, Netherlands Sign Health Agreements

News article | December 10, 2011

MUSCAT - Oman and the Netherlands have signed a Memorandum of Understanding and a Covenant on Cooperation in the health sector in general and in fighting HIV/Aids in particular.

The documents were inked by Mohammed Hassan Abdawani, Under-secretary at the Ministry of Health for Planning Affairs, and Ed Kronenburg, Secretary-general of the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The agreements cover cooperation in several fields, including capacity building in comprehensive care, treatment and rehabilitation of drug users. The accords also include, better health approaches for vulnerable groups exposed to HIV risks, specific training in areas like behavioural change, counseling and promoting cooperation between the public health institutions and non-governmental organisations.

They said both countries will welcome the technical support of World Health Organisation (WHO) for implementing the agreements. The deals also paved the way for Omani medical students to study at the Dutch universities.

A plan of action for the next two years will be prepared soon to execute the pacts.

Stefan van Wersch, the Dutch Ambassador to Oman, said: “The idea of the Memorandum of Understanding was born in the course of a visit of our special Ambassador at large for HIV/Aids earlier this year.