28 May 2017 – During his visit to Morocco, on behalf of WHO’s Director-General Dr Margaret Chan, WHO's Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean Dr Mahmoud Fikri presented WHO's gold medal to Princess Lalla Salma, King Mohamed VI’s wife, for her accomplishments in the fight against cancer.
Dr Fikri also visited H.E the Prime Minister of Morocco Dr Saâdeddine Othmani accompanied by Dr Yves Souteyrand, WHO Representative in Morocco.
During the meeting Dr Fikri congratulated the Prime Minister on progress made since 2010 in reducing maternal mortality in Morocco and the great efforts exerted to fight communicable diseases, such as trachoma, the elimination of which was recently certified by WHO.
The Regional Director hailed the efforts of the Ministry of Health in progressing towards universal health coverage, noting the establishment of a health insurance scheme that covers the most vulnerable.
Dr Fikri also highlighted the recent publication of the Country Cooperation Strategy for 2017–2021 between WHO and the Government of Morocco that addresses the strategic priorities outlined in the Regional Director's roadmap presented recently at the Seventieth World Health Assembly.
15 May 2017 – During his visit to Saudi Arabia, Dr M. Fikri, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, met with the Minister of Health of Saudi Arabia H.E Dr Tawfiq Al-Rabiah. The meeting, also attended by WHO Representative in Saudi Arabia Dr Ibrahim Ziq, discussed areas of common interest and WHO’s role in supporting Saudi Arabia to meet the 2030 targets of the Sustainable Development Goals in line with the country’s health plan. They also discussed strengthening preparations and WHO support to the Ministry of Health during the hajj.
