Amid the declining number of COVID-19 cases, the Philippines and Israel discussed various bilateral initiatives in health cooperation such as ensuring the health and safety of Filipinos in the Middle Eastern country.
Philippine Ambassador to Israel Macairog S. Alberto met with Israeli Health Minister Nitzan Horowitz last week at the Israeli Health Ministry in Jerusalem.
During the meeting, Alberto and Horowitz also talked about the possible reopening of national borders, exchange of visits, as well as the renewal of the Philippines-Israel Health Cooperation memorandum of understanding.
The two officials likewise discussed efforts to ensure the health and wellness of Filipino workers in Israel, particularly their optimal access to healthcare resources.
According to Horowitz, the relations between the two countries are "very good" and conveyed the Israeli Health Ministry's willingness to work with the Philippines on "whatever it may need."
He also encouraged Filipino workers with local health insurance to fully avail of Israel's healthcare services for their various medical needs and asked the Embassy to raise any health concerns from the Filipino community to the Israeli Health Ministry.
For his part, Ambassador Alberto thanked Israel for its valuable support in strengthening the Philippines' national pandemic response and mass vaccination program.
The Israeli government sent last year two medical teams to the Philippines and donated personal protective equipment and antigen test kits during the height of the pandemic.