Syria takes part in World Health Assembly in Geneva
GENEVA, (ST) – A delegation from Syria is currently taking part in the 66th session of the World Health Assembly ,kicked off on Monday in Geneva .
The eight-day Assembly high agenda will be discussing the reform of the World Health Organization (WHO), protecting of non-communicable diseases, reaching millennial development goals in health, and making recommendations for improving health of women and children.
The health conditions in occupied Palestinian territories and the occupied Syrian Golan will also be reviewed.
Dr. Saad al-Nayef , the Health Minister and head of the Syrian delegation stated that the delegation will brief member countries on the conditions in Syria and the government’s efforts to meet the growing health needs of citizens, particularly in light of the European-US economic sanctions on Syria which affected the health sector directly.
“we will also brief the attendees on the misleading media campaigns which target the health sector to achieve political goals, in addition to informing participants of the immoral practices carried out by the Israeli occupation forces in the occupied Syrian Golan and the health risks these practices pose to the citizens of Golan, “added al-Nayef.
Al-Nayef is due to deliver Syria’s speech at the Assembly on Tuesday.
Other issues which will be discussed including methods for increasing longevity, protection from avoidable visual impairment, efforts to eliminate Polio, work to combat counterfeit medical products, the global plan for vaccination, the strategy from limiting harmful consumption of alcohol, combating iodine deficiency disorders, and bolstering national capabilities in health emergency and crisis management.
It is worth noting that the World Health Assembly is the highest decision-making body in the WHO. It convenes once a year to decide upon the Organization’s polices. Syria is currently a member of the executive committee of the Assembly.
R.S