RIYADH — The Ministry of Health has received 423 research proposals from several colleges and universities with the participation of researchers from other sectors in the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Research Program, in the domains of prevention, diagnosis, treatment and social and ethical aspects, in addition to research that serves the detection, treatment, diagnosis and investigation of this pandemic. The General Administration for Communication and Relations at the Ministry of Health said that the ministry has completed the stage of submission, evaluation and announcement of winning projects in the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Research Program, which totaled 423 research proposals, through a fast track to provide grants for novel coronavirus research, adding that 20 Saudi scientific papers containing new results on the virus, have been published. It indicated that the research projects are still in the implementation stage, gathering accurate information on the best methods of treatment and curbing the spread of the virus, in preparation for the issuance of scientific papers on the conclusions and information based on evidence and proofs. The General Administration asserted to Asharq Al-Awsat Arabic daily that the Ministry of Health is keen that the submitted researches carry the scientific value of access to information and vital samples for conducting the research, after ensuring that administrative research measures necessary for maintaining confidentiality of the personal data of patients and participants are observed, and the standard principles related to publishing and exchanging research information are applied. The General Administration for Communication and Relations described the cooperation between Ministry of Health and all research centers in the various health agencies in Saudi Arabia as “close cooperation”. It includes the implementation and exchange of information related to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. This is being achieved through the Coronavirus Research Grants Program launched by the Ministry of Health, totaling 11 grants from King Faisal Specialist Hospital and King Abdulaziz Medical City, so as to participate in the program for conducting research using the facilities, research data, experience and expertise of the Ministry of Health The General Administration asserted that it has forged international partnerships with some bodies, including the World Health Organization (WHO) and the American National Health Institute, in addition to prominent and accredited European entities in the research work of the health sector.