Search

(1) Department of Family Medicine, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan (2) Director General, Executive Board, Health Ministers’ Council for Cooperation Council States (3) Professor of Public Health, Director, WHO Collaborating Centre, Department of Primary Care and Public Health, School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine Imperial College London, UK (4) University of Dammam, Saudi Arabia (5) Department of Family & Community Medicine, Arabian Gulf University, Bahrain (6) Vice Dean for Clinical Affairs, Oman Medical College, Sultanate of Oman (7) Family Physician, Bahrain (8) Department of Family Medicine, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia (9) Department of Family Medicine, Cairo University, Egypt (10) Associate Professor of Community and Family Medicine. Senior Consultant Family Physician. Dubai (11) Family Physician, Amman, Jordan (12) Head of the Primary Health Care Faculty at the Kuwait Institution for Medical Specialization. (13) Assistant Program Director in Family Medicine Residency Program, Qatar. (14) Chair Person of Egyptian Family Medicine Association and Faculty of Medicine, Menoufiya University, Shebin El-Kom, Menoufia, Egypt

(1) Department of Family Medicine, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan (2) Director General, Executive Board, Health Ministers’ Council for Cooperation Council States (3) Professor of Public Health, Director, WHO Collaborating Centre, Department of Primary Care and Public Health, School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine Imperial College London, UK (4) University of Dammam, Saudi Arabia (5) Department of Family & Community Medicine, Arabian Gulf University, Bahrain (6) Vice Dean for Clinical Affairs, Oman Medical College, Sultanate of Oman (7) Family Physician, Bahrain (8) Department of Family Medicine, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia (9) Department of Family Medicine, Cairo University, Egypt (10) Senior Specialist Family Physician, Baghdad, Iraq (11) Family Physician, Amman, Jordan (12) Head of the Primary Health Care Faculty at the Kuwait Institution for Medical Specialization. (13) Assistant Program Director in Family Medicine Residency Program-Qatar.

Introduction: Public health systems in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Countries are not well established. The existing systems do not match with the current health challenges and with the use of innovative technology in healthcare (diagnosis, treatment or rehabilitation). This paper is intended to give an overview of the public health situation in these countries. It discusses the need for effective and integrated system of public health laws that plays important role in addressing high priorities in public health. Conclusion: The GCC countries have the infrastructure for establishing a national public health system. However it needs an effective integrated and organized mechanism to shape this system; based on acceptable guidelines and criteria in such a way that they are institutional and capable of meeting the population needs. This system should be cost- effective and investment in health sector should be looked upon as a sustained investment in human and societal development. Despite the great efforts exerted and achievements made, there are great challenges ahead that can be overcome by exhibiting a strong political will and having a united approach of all stakeholders. Keywords: Public health, Public health laws, Public Health Surveillance, GCC countries