Sultanate takes part in WHO Executive Board meet

Muscat - The sultanate is participating in the virtual meeting of the World Health Organization’s 148th session of the Executive Board with a delegation being led by H E Dr Ahmed bin Mohammed al Sa’eedi, Minister of Health and First Deputy Member of the Executive Board of WHO.

The meeting commenced on Monday. Its nine-day session will focus on the main pillars including ‘1bn more people benefitting from universal coverage, 1bn more people better protected from health emergencies, 1bn more people enjoying better health and well-being, and a more effective and efficient WHO providing better support to countries’.

The meeting will review reports of the regional committees to the Executive Board and consider their recommendations and comments. The meeting on Monday highlighted health emergencies, including preparedness and response, particularly regarding COVID-19, where updates on activities to combat the pandemic were provided. The board also noted a report on strengthening WHO’s global emergency preparedness and response.

In an address, H E Dr Sa’eedi commended the WHO on the elaborate yet streamlined framework structure of the Global Patient Safety Action Plan 2021-2030 having seven global strategic objectives, five strategies, six principles and five milestones.

He added that this action plan would no doubt represent a comprehensive reference for member states to develop their national strategies and operational plans towards enhancing patient safety.

He stressed that global action on patient safety is at the core of many other global health issues and Sustainable Development Goals. It relates not only to people-centredness, but also to hygiene, expanded access to information and technology, innovation, expanded healthcare coverage, adequate infrastructure, and international cooperation.