Oman takes part in WHO executive board’s panel discussion in Geneva

The Sultanate of Oman is taking part in the 152nd session of the Executive Board (EB) of the World Health Organization (WHO), which began in Geneva, Switzerland, on Monday.

The sultanate’s delegation is headed by H E Dr Hilal bin Ali al Sabti, Minister of Health.

During the session, which will continue until February 7, Oman will participate with several interventions as a State Member of the WHO, as well as a representative of the Eastern Mediterranean Region as a member of the EB. The session is reviewing the reports of the WHO Director General, the regional committees and the programme, budget and management committee of the EB.

In addition, the session will touch upon the a number of health issues such as substandard and falsified medical products, draft global strategy on infection prevention and control, and global roadmap on defeating meningitis by 2030. It is addressing the public health emergency ‘response and preparedness’, poliomyelitis, wellbeing and health promotion, ending violence against children by promoting health system and multispectral approaches, social determinants of health, and the highest attainable standard of health for persons with disabilities.

Furthermore, issues related to the budget and financial matters, management and governance, EB committees, personnel matters, and report of meetings of expert committees and study groups are highlighting during the meeting.

The WHO celebrated its 75th anniversary on the sidelines of the meeting.

Oman, together with Kenya, was selected among three Member States in the WHO Executive Board to participate in the forward-looking panel discussion on the future of health 25 years from now to keep pace with global and future changes.

The selection of Oman to participate in this panel discussion is due to its significant role and health achievements during its membership in the WHO Executive Board, such as the adoption of the ‘Health as a Bridge for Peace’ Initiative and supporting the WHO’S efforts aimed at achieving international health security.

Oman, amid the presence of the Member States and the WHO Director-general, a representative from the UNDP, and a speaker from Japan, touched upon the health priority in Oman Vision 2040 and Oman’s future health plans over the next period.

The session is addressing several topics, such as the emerging models of the future of society, including the future of health that Member States, the WHO’S support to Member States needs to evolve in light of multidimensional change impacting the future of health, including the increasing importance of wellbeing and the acceleration of progress in the research ecosystem, among others.