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675659
Tue, 01/23/2024 - 00:08
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http://m.oananews.org//node/675659
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Qatar Participates in WHO Executive Board Meeting
Geneva, January 22 (QNA) - The State of Qatar is taking part in the meetings of the 154th session of the World Health Organization (WHO) Executive Bord, which started in Geneva today and continue through Jan. 27. HE Minister of Public Health and Chairperson of WHO Executive Board Dr. Hanan Mohammed Al Kuwari heads Qatar's Delegation to the meetings. In her opening speech, HE Dr. Hanan Mohammed Al Kuwari stressed that the year 2023, which coincided with the seventy-fifth anniversary of the founding of the World Health Organization, was a very important year for the organization, as it saw the affirmation of its role and its commitment to promoting its strength and funding. Her Excellency pointed out that the current year is equally important to demonstrate the values and commitment of the World Health Organization to work towards promoting and protecting the health of all people. Her Excellency also pointed out that the informal meeting of the Executive Council of the World Health Organization, which was hosted by the State of Qatar at the beginning of last December, provided the opportunity for an in-depth review of some critical priority issues in the current session of the Executive Board, including the drafting of the Fourteenth General Program of Work, sustainable financing, negotiations for the International Compact on Epidemics, the mechanism for electing regional directors, and necessary reforms. Such issues are of great importance in shaping the global health agenda and strengthening governance in the future, she said. HE Dr. Hanan Mohammed Al Kuwari extended thanks to all member states participating in the meetings of the WHO Executive Board, and the chairs of the Board's permanent committees, their deputies, and members of the committees for their perseverance and commitment to working to realize the organization's goals. The Executive Board meeting is being held while the world is going through very difficult time, as conflicts are occurring in different countries, health facilities are affected and often destroyed, and a number of health professionals have been injured or killed, Her Excellency said. She indicated that the members of the Executive Board held a special session on the Dec. 10, to discuss the conflict in Palestine and reached a consensus on a resolution calling for, among other things, ensuring respect and protection for all medical and humanitarian workers in the region.
For his part, HE Director-General of the World Health Organization Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in his opening remarks that the dawning of a new year gives the opportunity to look forward with hope, and to look back on the year that has been. In 2023 "there were also many achievements and milestones, including the end of COVID-19 and mpox as global health emergencies. "2023 was a reminder of why the work we do is so important, and why the world needs a strong, sustainable, effective, efficient and empowered WHO," he said. He pointed out that the most important items on the agenda of the Executive Council meetings of the World Health Organization are the draft 14th general work programme, noting the achievement of many major achievements during the past year in the areas of health promotion, including the number of smokers is 19 million less than two years ago, providing support to more than 80 countries to integrate services related to non-communicable diseases into their health systems, and supporting more than 50 countries to build health systems capable of resilience to climate change. He said that with regard to TB, more than 7.5 million people with TB have access to diagnosis and treatment in 2022, the largest number since WHO started monitoring almost 30 years ago. He pointed out that with regard to HIV, more than 75 percent of people infected with the virus globally are now receiving antiretroviral therapy, and almost all of those on treatment are achieving viral suppression, which means they cannot infect others. At the political level, world leaders at the UN General Assembly High-Level Meeting agreed a strong political declaration, including a commitment to conclude negotiations on the pandemic agreement and amendments to the International Health Regulations by May this year, he said. This year's UN General Assembly high-level meeting on antimicrobial resistance will be another important opportunity to secure concrete commitments for this urgent global threat, which kills at least 1.3 million people every year. he added. The 154th meeting of the WHO Executive Board is set to discuss over 40 health topics, including WHO's 14th General Programme of Work (GPW14); health emergency prevention, preparedness and response; accelerating national and global responses to antimicrobial resistance (AMR); and the impact of climate change on health, among other priority issues. The WHO Executive Board is composed of 34 technically qualified members elected for three-year terms. The main functions of the Board are to implement the decisions and policies of the Health Assembly, and to advise and facilitate its work. (QNA)
