Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09RIYADH1045
2009-08-12 14:11:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Riyadh
Cable title:
HEALTH MINISTER REQUESTS HHS MOU BY OCTOBER
how-toVZCZCXRO0644 PP RUEHDE RUEHDH RUEHDIR DE RUEHRH #1045 2241411 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 121411Z AUG 09 FM AMEMBASSY RIYADH TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1372 INFO RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHEG/AMEMBASSY CAIRO PRIORITY 2741 RUEHPH/CDC ATLANTA GA PRIORITY RUEAUSA/DEPT OF HHS WASHDC PRIORITY
UNCLAS RIYADH 001045
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR NEA/ARP (BERNDT) AND OES/IHB
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON PGOV PREL TBIO KFLU CASC ASEC SA
SUBJECT: HEALTH MINISTER REQUESTS HHS MOU BY OCTOBER
REF: RIYADH 975
UNCLAS RIYADH 001045
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR NEA/ARP (BERNDT) AND OES/IHB
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON PGOV PREL TBIO KFLU CASC ASEC SA
SUBJECT: HEALTH MINISTER REQUESTS HHS MOU BY OCTOBER
REF: RIYADH 975
1. (U) This is an action request. See paragraph 5.
2. (SBU) In a meeting with A/DCM and a Centers for Disease
Control (CDC) training delegation on August 11, Health
Minister Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah said his Ministry ideally
would like to conclude a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
for cooperation in the areas of health reform, training, and
research with the Department of Health and Human Services
(HHS) by early October (reftel). Rabeeah emphasized his
desire to conclude the agreement after Ramadan but well in
advance of the Hajj pilgrimage. Separately, the Minister
said he will likely travel to the U.S. in late September.
3. (SBU) Rabeeah and Deputy Minister of Health Ziad Memish
expressed a strong desire to enhance collaboration with the
CDC, as well as the Navy Medical Research Unit 3 (NAMRU3)
based in Cairo, in the immediate and long term. Memish said
the Ministry desperately needed trained epidemiologists and
half-jokingly requested "unlimited support" from the U.S.
through programs like the Field Epidemiology Training Program
(FETP). Dr. Tadesse Wuhib, the head of the CDC delegation,
recommended posting Dr. Ahmed Baghal in Jeddah to bolster
Saudi efforts to fight H1N1 during the Hajj. Rabeeah
expressed eagerness to have Dr. Baghal, an American of Syrian
decent who is a Muslim and native Arabic speaker, posted in
the Kingdom in the months leading up to the Hajj.
COMMENT
--------------
4. (SBU) Post fully supports the idea of a HHS MOU with the
Ministry and appreciates all efforts by the Department in
cooperation with HHS to conclude the agreement by the fall,
potentially for signature when Rabeeah visits the United
States in September. Post supports Dr. Baghal's proposed TDY
in principle. End comment.
5. (SBU) ACTION REQUEST: Post requests NEA/ARP engage
OES/IHB and HHS to acquire a model MOU that we can share with
the Saudi Ministry of Health, as part of Embassy's response
to the July 12 letter of Health Minister Rabeeah to Charge
(reftel).
ERDMAN
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR NEA/ARP (BERNDT) AND OES/IHB
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON PGOV PREL TBIO KFLU CASC ASEC SA
SUBJECT: HEALTH MINISTER REQUESTS HHS MOU BY OCTOBER
REF: RIYADH 975
1. (U) This is an action request. See paragraph 5.
2. (SBU) In a meeting with A/DCM and a Centers for Disease
Control (CDC) training delegation on August 11, Health
Minister Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah said his Ministry ideally
would like to conclude a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
for cooperation in the areas of health reform, training, and
research with the Department of Health and Human Services
(HHS) by early October (reftel). Rabeeah emphasized his
desire to conclude the agreement after Ramadan but well in
advance of the Hajj pilgrimage. Separately, the Minister
said he will likely travel to the U.S. in late September.
3. (SBU) Rabeeah and Deputy Minister of Health Ziad Memish
expressed a strong desire to enhance collaboration with the
CDC, as well as the Navy Medical Research Unit 3 (NAMRU3)
based in Cairo, in the immediate and long term. Memish said
the Ministry desperately needed trained epidemiologists and
half-jokingly requested "unlimited support" from the U.S.
through programs like the Field Epidemiology Training Program
(FETP). Dr. Tadesse Wuhib, the head of the CDC delegation,
recommended posting Dr. Ahmed Baghal in Jeddah to bolster
Saudi efforts to fight H1N1 during the Hajj. Rabeeah
expressed eagerness to have Dr. Baghal, an American of Syrian
decent who is a Muslim and native Arabic speaker, posted in
the Kingdom in the months leading up to the Hajj.
COMMENT
--------------
4. (SBU) Post fully supports the idea of a HHS MOU with the
Ministry and appreciates all efforts by the Department in
cooperation with HHS to conclude the agreement by the fall,
potentially for signature when Rabeeah visits the United
States in September. Post supports Dr. Baghal's proposed TDY
in principle. End comment.
5. (SBU) ACTION REQUEST: Post requests NEA/ARP engage
OES/IHB and HHS to acquire a model MOU that we can share with
the Saudi Ministry of Health, as part of Embassy's response
to the July 12 letter of Health Minister Rabeeah to Charge
(reftel).
ERDMAN