Deputy Prime Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa called on the specialised health and educational institutions to invest more in scientific and medical researches to keep abreast of the substantial growth of the sector which is considered as one of the pillars of human development and to cater for local priorities stipulated in the National Strategy for Scientific Research 2014-2024.

The Deputy Premier called to avail of the researches’ results and recommendations to serve humanity in terms of prevention and treatment. He was speaking as he patronized the 10th annual celebration of Dr. Shaikh Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Khalifa Award for Scientific Research 2016 which was organised yesterday by Bahrain Medical Magazine of King Hamad University Hospital. The ceremony was attended by President of the Supreme Health Council and the award Chairman Lieutenant General Shaikh Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, Health Minister Faeqa bint Said Al Saleh, King Hamad University Hospital Commander Major General Shaikh Salman bin Atiyatallah Al Khalifa, senior officials and invitees.

The Deputy Premier hailed the award as one of the most important specialised initiatives in medical and health researches which has contributed to boosting the concept of scientific research locally and increasing the number of researchers. He also praised naming the award after Shaikh Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Khalifa in tribute for his contributions alongside the medical competencies to upgrading the health system in Bahrain.

The award was incepted in 2012 to promote medical researches in Bahrain and the Arab world by choosing outstanding publications in Bahrain Medical Magazine according to well-defined criteria. All researches published in the magazine are entitled to win promotional cash awards allocated annually for the winners of the award.

During the celebration, the Supreme Health Council President and award Chairman delivered a speech in which he thanked Shaikh Khalid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa for patronizing the annual ceremony, stressing the need to further encourage medical researches. Then, Shaikh Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Khalifa honoured the winners and congratulated them on their achievement.