MANAMA — Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus arrived in Bahrain on Sunday on a two-day visit to the kingdom. Upon arrival at Bahrain International Airport, he was received by Bahrain"s Health Minister Faeqa Bint Saeed Al-Saleh, the Bahrain News Agency reported. Welcoming the WHO chief, Al-Saleh said: “The visit of the WHO director-general is momentous given the current global pandemic. It reflects his commitment to Bahrain and his admiration for our efforts in combatting COVID-19. Dr. Ghebreyesus has achieved notable successes both in fighting COVID-19 and more broadly in pursuing better global health. I am looking forward to exchanging knowledge and experience with the DG on how best to continue battling the global pandemic.”The director-general has come to open a new WHO office in Manama, which marks Bahrain’s close cooperation with the WHO throughout the pandemic and serves as the next step in the capital’s development as a leading center of health. Commenting on his visit to the Gulf country, the Who chief said: “I am delighted and honored to be in Bahrain to open the WHO’s 152nd country office. I would like to thank Prince Salman Bin Hamad Al-Khalifa as well as the government and people of Bahrain, for their hospitality.” The director-general of the WHO, accompanied by Dr. Ahmed Al Mandhari, WHO regional director for the Eastern Mediterranean, is scheduled to visit Bahrain’s vaccination and testing centres where he will be briefed on measures taken by the country to protect the health of citizens and residents. The WHO chief will also have an opportunity to meet some of the frontline health workers who have collectively managed to vaccinate nearly 70 percent of Bahrain"s population. Lauding Bahrain"s efforts to combat coronavirus, Dr. Ghebreyesus said: “Bahrain has always been one of the pioneering countries in the COVID-19 global collaborative response. Bahrain implemented a comprehensive package of public health measures to control transmission in the country from the very start, before the first case was detected in-country. Bahrain"s approach has been holistic, evaluating the social and economic impact of all health measures." "Efforts have also been made to ensure full continuity of treatment for other health conditions. Bahrain has managed to vaccinate more than one million people with 2 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, ensuring that almost 70 percent of the population is now provided with an additional layer of protection against the virus. The vaccines were provided free of charge, regardless of citizenship status. Bahrain"s approach has been fully in line with the WHO’s mandate for universal health coverage and the regional vision of "Health for All by All".” A press conference is scheduled on Monday, following the office opening, giving Dr. Ghebreyesus a chance to remark on his observations of Bahrain’s vaccination success and the kingdom’s efforts to ease the impact of the virus.