News 24 | After the decision of the Council of Ministers … What are the objectives and missions of the Public Health Authority “Weqaya”

The “Weqaya” Public Health Authority has clarified what are the objectives and tasks that await after The decision of the Council of Ministers, yesterday (Tuesday), to transform it from a center under the name of “National Prevention Center” into an organization.

The authority said its goals were to protect and promote public health, prevent disease, and raise public awareness to respond to public health emergencies by organizing efforts among relevant authorities.

She said she also had 14 assignments ahead of her, the most important of which are:

Develop public health policies, plans, programs and initiatives.

Prepare public health emergency preparedness plans in coordination with relevant authorities at local and international level.

Surveillance, investigation and monitoring of risks and diseases threatening public health.

Adopt security measures, preventive care and control risks to public health.

Prepare professional standards for public health.

Create a database on infectious diseases, epidemics and public health risks.

Propose scientific solutions to health problems and risks to public health.

– Alert priorities for the transfer of technology for the manufacture of drugs, vaccines and vaccines and their development, particularly antivirals.

Accreditation of qualified assessors for accreditation tasks related to the jurisdiction of the authority.

Approval of policies and procedures for the work of public health laboratories.

Accreditation of laboratories specializing in the fields of public health.

Create and operate third and fourth level biosafety laboratories and laboratories that bring together all of its specializations.

Approve the procedures for the return and transfer of specimens between public health laboratories for the government and private sectors.

Represent the Kingdom in regional and international bodies and organizations in the Authority’s field of competence.

The Council of Ministers issued a decision last night (Tuesday) to approve the transformation of the “National Center for the Protection and Control of Diseases” into a public body called “Public Health Authority”.