Riyadh, Rabi'II 15, 1436, Feb 4, 2015, SPA -- Ahmad bin Aqeel Al-Khatib, Minister of Health, opened here today 78th GCC Health Ministers Council Conference in presence of GCC Secretary General Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al-Zayani, the GCC Health Ministers and Dr. Alaa Aldain Al-Alwan, Regional Director of the World Health organization (WHO). In his speech before the conference, Al-Khatib thanked the organizing committees at the Health Ministry and the Executive Office of the GCC Health Ministers Council for their great efforts. The conference's agenda is to include non-communicable diseases, fight against cancer, standards and regulations governing cooperation among GCC health associations, anti-smoking, occupational health, statistical bulletin and basic health indicators. It will also include means to combat polio, the GCC e-Gate, the smart card system, unified purchasing of pharmaceuticals, hospital supplies and equipment among other issues. --SPA 18:10 LOCAL TIME 15:10 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/w