France offers help with MERS

France is ready to help the Kingdom combat the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV), a visiting minister said here on Monday.
Jean-Marie Le Guen, state minister for parliamentary relations, told journalists that his country could provide expertise in the fight against MERS.
Le Guen currently heads a large French delegation participating in the Saudi Health Exhibition and Conference 2014 at the Riyadh convention center, which he opened with Riyadh Gov. Prince Turki bin Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz.
The press briefing held at the French Embassy included Bertrand Besancenot, the country's ambassador.
The minister said France has expertise in epidemiology and infectious diseases in several countries including its former colonies.
“Initially, we can cooperate with the health sector in the field of laboratory tests for the coronavirus and other infectious diseases,” he said.
Le Guen commended the manner in which the Saudi Ministry of Health has dealt with the virus. “It is well under control,” he said. He said the French government has not issued any restrictions for its citizens traveling to the Kingdom because of the MERS outbreak.
He said the health sector remains a priority for his country, besides political, cultural and economic relations. “Eight percent of our pharmaceutical products are exported to the Kingdom and there are some 350 Saudi doctors reading for their postgraduate degrees at various hospitals in France,” he said.
Le Guen said that France has vast experience in dealing with road accidents and could help the Saudi Red Crescent. “It would include monitoring accidents on highways, prompt attention to incidents, immediate medical care and rushing the victims to the nearest health facilities." He said talks with the Saudi Red Crescent would take place in October.