Ambassador Dr. Haifa Abu Ghazaleh, Assistant Secretary-General and head of the Social Affairs Sector, announced that the General Secretariat (Social Affairs Sector – Health and Humanitarian Aid Department – Technical Secretariat of the Council of Arab Health Ministers) is set to convene the Arab Doctor Award Committee meeting for 2025 on 17 and 18 February at the General Secretariat headquarters. The meeting will bring together representatives from Arab countries serving as members of the Executive Office of the Council of Arab Health Ministers, including the State of Qatar, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Kingdom of Bahrain, the Republic of Iraq, the Sultanate of Oman, the State of Palestine, the Arab Republic of Egypt (Chair of the Executive Office), and the United Arab Emirates, alongside the Arab Council for Health Specialties.
Her Excellency Dr. Abu Ghazaleh highlighted that the Arab Doctor Award Committee was formally established following its approval by the Council of Arab Health Ministers during its 51st ordinary session in May 2019 in Geneva. The committee held its inaugural meeting in January 2020 at the General Secretariat headquarters.
Dr. Abu Ghazaleh further explained that the committee will review and evaluate the nominations submitted by Arab member states for the Arab Doctor Award 2025. The selection process will identify three distinguished laureates across the award’s three categories: Excellence in Scientific Research and Innovation; Excellence, Leadership, and Medical Professional Impact; Good Governance in Health System Management and Quality.
The award selection process will adhere strictly to the Arab Doctor Award regulations, as endorsed by the Council of Arab Health Ministers in its 60th ordinary session in May 2024 in Geneva. The committee’s recommendations will be presented to the Executive Office before being submitted for final approval at the Council’s 62nd ordinary session, scheduled for May 2025 in Geneva.
Her Excellency underscored that the award aims to recognise and honour outstanding Arab doctors who have made significant contributions to medical practice, foster professional competition and collaboration, and encourage healthcare professionals across the Arab world to enhance their performance, provide exceptional medical services, and participate in voluntary and humanitarian initiatives.
Dr. Abu Ghazaleh added that, in light of the heroic and unwavering dedication of Arab doctors in facing crises and disasters, the Council of Arab Health Ministers—during its 60th ordinary session in May 2024—awarded the Arab Doctor Award 2024 to the Palestinian doctor, in recognition of their resilience amid the brutal Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip, and the Sudanese doctor, in tribute to their perseverance amidst the ongoing crisis in the Republic of Sudan.
These honours were formally presented to His Excellency the Minister of Health of the State of Palestine and His Excellency the Minister of Health of the Republic of Sudan during the Council’s 61st ordinary session, held from 11 to 12 November 2024, in the Republic of Iraq.
