Oman hosted the 37th session of the 72nd Conference of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Health Ministers under the theme 'Combating Non-Communicable diseases' from 3 to 7 January 2012. During the conference all expressed appreciation of Dr Hussein Al Gezairy, WHO former Regional Director for his 30 years of serving human health in WHO.

Dr Alwan, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, and H.E. Dr Ahmed bin Mohammed al Saeedi, Minister of Health of Oman

Dr Ala Alwan, the new WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, took part in the conference and was received by H.E. Dr Ahmed bin Mohammed al Saeedi, Minister of Health, and discussed areas for closer cooperation between the Ministry of Health and WHO.