His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the Supreme Commander, received the Commander-in-Chief of the Bahrain Defence Force (BDF), Field Marshal Shaikh Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, and a number of senior officials, at the Al-Safriya Palace today.

HM the King lauded the continuous development and progress witnessed by the BDF in the fields of armament and military installations in its various branches.

HM King Hamad praised the BDF’s great contributions to efforts to fight and contain the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), through the National Medical Taskforce to Combat Coronavirus, led and supervised by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister, with efficiency and distinction.

HM the King expressed his sincere appreciation for the BDF for providing well-equipped facilities that provide the latest health supplies, and ensure the best preventive and treatment services thanks to their highly qualified distinguished medical personnel.

HM the King valued highly the "fruitful and valuable" efforts made by the Supreme Council of Health (SCH) President and National Medical Taskforce to Combat the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Chairman, Lieutenant-General Dr. Shaikh Mohammed bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, and requested him to convey his greeting and appreciation to all the health sector affiliates, and the medical and nursing competencies working at the frontlines of the fight against COVID-19 for their dedication in providing the best health care and treatment to the citizens and residents.

In this context, HM King Hamad affirmed Bahrain’s constant keenness to provide the requirements of decent life for the citizens, and all care for the residents, as they are partners in building the nation.

HM King Hamad also praised the great enthusiasm shown by the volunteers in the clinical trials for a  COVID-19 inactivated vaccine that are being conducted in Bahrain in cooperation with those in charge of the potential vaccine in the sisterly United Arab Emirates and the initiative partners from the China, affirming that the participation of 6,000 citizens and residents in these experiments is a source of pride, and extending thanks to them for their noble humanitarian stance.

HM the King, the Supreme Commander, expressed pride in the BDF’s brave servicemen for the lofty patriotic duties they are undertaking in the service of the cherished homeland at various work sites with high efficiency, loyalty, sincerity, distinctive courage and high morale.