Syria takes part in 72nd World Health Assembly next Monday in Geneva

Damascus, SANA_ Syria is due to take part in the 72nd session of the World Health Assembly, the decision-making body of World Health Organization (WHO), which is scheduled to kick off next Monday at the UN HQ in Geneva until May 28 .

Syria is taking part with a delegation headed by Health Minister Dr. Nizar Yazigi.

Representatives from 194 WHO member countries, international organizations and bodies, and donors will discuss several issues including preparedness for and response to health emergencies, the promotion of the health of refugees, migrants and health conditions in the occupied Palestinian territories and in the occupied Syrian Golan and eradication of poliomyelitis and smallpox.

Participants will also discuss ways to achieve universal health coverage, access to medicines and vaccines, prevent and control noncommunicable diseases, end tuberculosis and pandemic influenza preparedness, as well as issues of health, climate change, antimicrobial resistance and patient safety through monitoring water, sanitation and hygiene in health care facilities in addition to global strategy for women’s, children’s and adolescents’ health and process of reforming WHO.

In a press statement, Minister of Health Dr. Nizar Yazji stressed that Syria’s participation in the 72nd session of the WHO is a new opportunity to introduce member states to the “exceptional government efforts” to meet the health needs and the reality of the health situation in the country and the challenges it faces amid the growing needs of citizens and European and US economic sanctions imposed on the Syrian people, which affected the health sector directly.

Minister Yazji pointed out that the delegation of Syria will meet, on the sidelines of the even, world health leaders and a number of health ministers from friendly countries to discuss the promotion of joint cooperation in the health field, which will reflect positively on the health reality in Syria.

The World Health Assembly is the decision-making body of WHO. It is attended by delegations from all WHO Member States and focuses on a specific health agenda prepared by the Executive Board. The main functions of the World Health Assembly are to determine the policies of the Organization, appoint the Director-General, supervise financial policies, and review and approve the proposed programme budget. The Health Assembly is held annually in Geneva, Switzerland.

Gh.A. Hassoun

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