Malaysia, Qatar to sign MoU on health cooperation

From Sharifah Nurliza Syed Mohammad

DOHA, Nov 27 (Bernama) – Malaysia is expected to a sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Qatar on health cooperation, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail said today.

She said this  was raised during her meeting with Qatar's Public Health Minister Dr Hanan Al Kuwari here.

"We have discussed the potential of bilateral cooperation which can be explored in the field of medicine, among them, investment in the healthcare industry, Malaysia as a medical tourism destination for Qataris, pharmaceuticals, and research," she said.

Speaking to the Malaysian media at the end of her three-day official visit to Qatar, Dr Wan Azizah said Dr Hanan had also expressed interest in visiting Malaysia which would allow further discussions to be held.

The deputy prime minister said she was pleased with her visit to Qatar, which was deemed to have further strengthened the bilateral relations between Malaysia and Qatar.

"I believe and am confident that the issues discussed during this visit will be the basis for discussions between Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and the Emir of Qatar during the latter’s visit to Malaysia from Dec 5 to 7," she said.

Dr Wan Azizah today also met with the country's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence Affairs, Dr Khalid Mohammed Al Attiyah

She said during the meeting, Dr Khalid also shared about the National Service Training programme being implemented for 17- to 18-year-olds in Qatar, and expressed his willingness to help Malaysia in the matter if required.

Dr Wan Azizah's visit to Qatar is  her first since being appointed deputy prime minister following Pakatan Harapan's victory in the 14th General Election.

She was accompanied by International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Ignatius Darell Leiking, Deputy Foreign Minister Senator Datuk Marzuki Yahya and Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Amiruddin Hamzah.

-- BERNAMA