Kuwait in WHO meeting on regional, Int’l health issues
GENEVA: The visiting Kuwaiti Minister of Health, who took part in yesterday’s opening session of the World Health Organization Executive Board meeting, said participants tackled a host of regional and international issues in the sector. Dr Jamal Al-Harbi said in a statement that the board examined annual report of WHO Director General Dr Margaret Chan about the general assembly, reports related to health dimension of sustainable development till 2030 and other topics related to the organization’s regional works.
They have also tackled combating tobacco, efforts against communicable diseases and committees’ reports. The Kuwaiti representatives at the gathering focuse on regional issues and problems, such as plight of the refugees and practical plans for dealing with humanitarian crises.
Harbi said Kuwait is fully coordinating with the other GCC countries regarding nomination for holding the WHO General Directorate post. The meetings address other diverse issues such as regulating usage of antibiotics, polio vaccine campaigns and providing healthcare for Syrian refugees. Kuwait is also showcasing its experience in dealing with some diseases such as obesity, diabetes, blood, heart and cancer illnesses. The meeting runs until February 1st. On Sunday, Kuwait’s Permanent Representative to UN Office and international organizations in Geneva Jamal Al-Ghunaim affirmed the importance of his country’s participation in the World Health Organization Executive Board meeting. He described the meeting as “significant” as it discusses a number of health topics across the globe.
The State of Kuwait is proud of being an Executive Board member and this reflects the confidence of both Arab and Muslim groups in the country’s capabilities in dealing with health issues that interest the two groups, he noted in a statement made after receiving Minister Harbi at Geneva airport.
The meeting’s agenda this year includes electing new director general of WHO and discussing some health issues on means of combating antibiotics, continued polio vaccine campaigns and providing healthcare for Syrian refugees, as well as others, he said. He referred to Kuwait’s new experience in dealing with some diseases like obesity, diabetes, blood, heart and caner sickness.