Award selection committee meets

TDT | Manama

Minister of Health Faeqa bint Saeed Al Saleh chaired yesterday the first meeting of the selection committee for the Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa Award for Bahraini Doctors, which is an initiative of His Royal Highness the Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa.

The award is to be presented annually, for the first time this year, during Bahraini Doctors’ Day celebrations on the first Wednesday of November in honour of outstanding Bahraini doctors in medical, clinical and treatment research. The Health Minister stressed that Bahrain is grateful to have a group of renowned experts in the medical field for this prestigious award.

The selection committee includes top officials from Bahrain and six international experts in the field of medical research from different countries. During yesterday’s meeting, a number of topics were discussed, including the establishment and formation of a secretariat for the award, its statute, and the tasks of the committee.

The proposed schedule of the committee’s meetings and work was also reviewed, and the candidates’ form and evaluation criteria for the winners’ selection process were also tackled. The Health Minister called on all Bahraini doctors to apply and participate in the award, which aims to appreciate and motivate medical professionals for their dedication and efforts.

The committee noted that the final day to receive applications for the award will be on Saturday, September 5. Yesterday’s virtual meeting was attended by committee members including HRH the Prime Minister’s Court advisor Abdullah Abbas Hamad, HRH the Prime Minister’s Court Evaluation and Analysis director Farida Abdul Rahim Khonji, Bahrain Medical Society president Dr Ghada Al Qassim, World Health Organisation Eastern Mediterranean Region director Dr Ahmed bin Salem Al Mandhari, Arabian Gulf University president Dr Khalid Abdul Rahman Al Ohaly, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland-Medical University of Bahrain president Professor Samir Al Atoum, and medical research experts Professor Hanan Hassan Balkhi (Saudi Arabia), Professor Kenneth Christopher (US), Professor Sotirius Nedios (Germany/ Greece), and Professor Cathal Kelly (Ireland).

HRH the Prime Minister earlier this year issued directives to celebrate Bahraini Doctors’ Day and launch the $200,000 award carrying his name. The award shall be granted in two categories: the Innovation and Creative Award in Therapeutic, Clinical and Medical Research, and the Extended Loyalty and Giving Award.