OMAN INTERESTED IN USG EFFORTS ON IMPLEMENTING

UNCLAS MUSCAT 000494 SIPDIS FOR NEA/ARP, OES/IHB E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: TBIO SENV PREL MU SUBJECT: OMAN INTERESTED IN USG EFFORTS ON IMPLEMENTING HEALTH REGS REF: STATE 33263 ¶1. This is an action request. Please see paragraph 3. ¶2. On June 29, Econoff met with Dr. Salah al-Awaidy, Director of Infectious Disease Surveillance, Ministry of Health, to discuss reftel information on USG efforts to implement recently revised international health regulations (IHRs). Awaidy expressed enthusiasm both in receiving more information on USG efforts and in establishing direct lines of communication with those officials at the Department of Health and Human Services and the Center for Disease Control to discuss IHR implementation in greater detail. Specifically, Awaidy mentioned avian influenza and social preparation for disease outbreaks as areas of importance to Oman. In a subsequent conversation, Dr. Ali Jaffar, Director General of Health Affairs, also expressed to Econoff the Ministry's keen interest in collaborating with the USG on this issue. ¶3. Action request. Embassy requests that additional information on USG efforts regarding the implementation of IHRs be sent to Economic/Commercial Officer Brian Grimm at GrimmBM@state.gov. Embassy further requests that appropriate contact information for USG officials involved in implementing IHRs be transmitted as well. End action request. FONTENEAU