MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING FOR COOPERATION BETWEEN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH IN THE KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA AND THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA IN THE FIELD OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND MEDICAL SCIENCES

The Ministry of Health in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Department of Health and Human Services in the United States of America "hereinafter referred to as the Two Participants," understanding the benefit of unified efforts to address issues of public health and medical and scientific challenges of mutual concern; desiring to foster and strengthen relationships between the Two Participants and understanding the importance of working together in solving common health issues, realizing the mutual interest of the Two Participants in the field of prevention of diseases and promotion of health; and desiring to strengthen the existing ties between the medical and research institutions in both countries in the fields of public health and medical sciences;

Have reached the following understandings:

Section 1: General Principles

The Two Participants intend to strengthen cooperation in health fields according to the following principles:

1. The purpose of cooperation under this Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is to support and strengthen existing relationships in the fields of public health among individuals, organizations, and institutions of both Participants.

    

2. The Participants intend to specify cooperation areas of mutual interest.

    

3. Joint activities between the Two Participants should be carried out through coordination with international health organizations, such as the World Health Organization.

Section 2: Areas of Cooperation

The Two Participants intend to strengthen cooperation between them in areas of joint interest, which may include, for example, the following:

1. Health information systems, including proper application of information science and technology, capacity building strategy; standards and information systems for routine disease surveillance, laboratories, medical care, health surveys, emergency, outbreak investigations, and mass gatherings;

    

2. Human resources, including capacity building in the areas of delivery of health services, public health systems, academic and scientific training on government and private levels, cooperation in training pertaining to the Saudi field epidemiology program, and improving surveillance of communicable and non-communicable diseases.

    

3. Public health including epidemiology, disease surveillance, communicable diseases, zoonosis, chronic diseases (risk factors related to chronic diseases), disaster preparedness and management, nutrition, maternal and child health, congenital deformities, preventive health, and health promotion;

    

4. Health-related concerns of women and special needs populations, including the elderly, the disabled, teenagers, children and other vulnerable groups;

    

5. Health services research, including assessment of health care technologies, health services delivery systems, health services financing, health care cost containment; and public health intervention;

    

6. Diseases and health conditions of special interest, such as pathogens, particularly influenza;

    

7. Public policies oriented to disease prevention and health promotion;

    

8. Biomedical and behavioral research; and

    

9. Any other area as mutually identified by the Two Participants.

Section 3: Methods of Cooperation

Cooperation under this MOD may be carried out through any of the following methods:

1. Exchange of information.
2. Exchange of experts and academicians.
3. Training Saudi health and medical workforce.
4. Conducting joint research.
5. Holding conferences and seminars.
6. Any other method as mutually identified by the Two Participants.

The Two Participants endeavor to promote relations and direct ties between institutions and individuals in both countries as needed, so as to enhance cooperation in areas of public health and medical sciences.

Section 4: Regulating Cooperation

1. The General Directorate of International Relations in the Ministry of Health in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Office of Global Health Affairs in the Department of Health and Human Services in the United States of America are to act as the coordinators for cooperation within the framework of this MOU.  Areas of cooperation provided for in Section 2 of this MOU are to be specified in accordance with the priorities mutually determined by the Two Participants.

    

2. The coordinator of each Participant is to name an administrative coordinator to oversee the implementation of activities set out in this MOU.  The Two Participants may form joint working committees of experts and specialists from both sides to follow up on the implementation of this MOU.  Said committees may convene as necessary.

Section 5: Financial Aspects and Disclaimer

1. Activities carried out under this MOU are to be conducted in accordance with the applicable laws and regulations in both countries.

    

2. Activities carried out under this MOU are to be subject to the discretion of each Participant and are to be subject to the availability of appropriated funds.

    

3. Each Participant is to bear the costs of its own participation.  Funding arrangements for specific activities may be made by mutual determination of the Two Participants.

    

4. This MOU is not an international agreement and does not give rise to rights or obligations under international law.

Section 6: Commencement, Discontinuation, and Modification

1. This MOU is to become effective on the date of signature by both Participants.  It is to remain valid for two years, and the Participants may review and mutually decide to continue their cooperation before that period ends.

    

2. The Two Participants may, at any time, modify this MOU by mutual, written consent.

    

3. Either Participant may, at any time, discontinue its cooperation under this MOU, and should endeavor to notify the other party thereof, in writing, at least six months in advance of its intent to discontinue its participation.

    

4. In case of discontinuation of this MOU, its provisions are to remain valid for joint programs until completed.

Signed in Geneva, Switzerland on dated / / 14, and corresponding to May/18/2010, in duplicate, in the Arabic and English languages.  All the texts shall be equally binding.

FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES IN THE UNITED
STATES OF AMERICA
/Kathleen Sebelius/


THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH
IN THE KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA
/Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah/

Last revised: June 10, 2010