Honouring Health Heroes

TDT |Manama

Bahrain’s decision to dedicate a day to honour the often unsung heroes in the society, the doctors, is being cheered worldwide.  Congratulating HRH Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa on the move yesterday was the Director-General of the World Health Organisation Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. 

The WHO supremo in a tweet expressed his pride in joining Bahrain’s celebration to honour doctors who are very much on the frontline in fighting the pandemic.  He wrote, “Congratulations HRH PM Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa on the initiative to mark annually “Bahraini Doctors’ Day” in November. 

@WHO welcomes Bahrain’s appreciation of #healthworkers & efforts to fight #COVID19.” Dr Ghebreyesus said the decision to honour and recognise health professionals and their strenuous efforts to combat the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) will herald a better future for humanity.

As decided earlier, HRH the Prime Minister, each year, on the first Wednesday of November, will award outstanding Bahraini practitioners in the medical therapeutic and research fields for their precious care to the humanity.  The decision announced during a Cabinet meeting said the award will carry the name of HRH the Prime Minister. 

Bahrain’s move to honour doctors was also hailed by WHO’s Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean Dr Ahmed Al-Mandhari.  In a statement, Dr Al-Mandhari called the initiative a “generous gesture” reflecting the Premier’s great appreciation of the sacrifices of medical professionals and health workers in the service of humanity. 

The decision, he said, will yield positive results in Bahrain and serve as a catalyst for the entire region.  “WHO supports the initiative considering the positive impact it will have on doctors and health professionals and in the development of the therapeutic and medical research fields,” he said adding, “HRH the PM’s support to the initiative is of particular importance, especially as the world continues to grapple with the pandemic.”

On this note, Dr Al-Mandhari also commended Bahrain’s support to the World Health Organisation (WHO), particularly in the fight against COVID-19 pandemic. He said Bahrain is known for its successes in the medical and health care field thanks to the commendable efforts the government is exerting to strengthen the health and treatment system.

Dr Al-Mandhari further expressed confidence that the move will contribute to enhancing confidence in doctors of Bahrain, motivate and encourage them to bring more excellence in their noble mission.