Al-Ghabbash: It is necessary to work within the mandate of the Health organization to lift the unjust measures imposed on Syria
The work of the 154th session of the Executive Council of the World Health Organization, held in Geneva, Switzerland, continues with the participation of Syria until the 27th of this month.
In Syria’s statement on comprehensive health coverage, the Minister of Health Hassan Al-Ghabbash called for working within the mandate of the World Health Organization to lift the unjust measures that negatively affect the health of the Syrian citizen. He also called for supporting Syria within the organization’s comprehensive health coverage plan to reach this goal.
Minister Al-Ghabbash said in his speech that Syria is no longer able to repair medical devices that are out of service due to unjust sanctions, noting that cancer patients suffer from the lack of life-saving medicines, laboratory medical tools, tools for surgical operations, medical equipment for x-rays, and others.
Minister Al-Ghabbash indicated that Syria was on its way to finalizing its eleventh plan for health and comprehensive health coverage for all Syrian citizens to the furthest point from the capital, Damascus. However, the terrorist war that Syria suffered from for more than 12 years changed the method and rhythm of work in the Ministry of Health to rapid responses to meet urgent humanitarian needs as a result of the repercussions of the war and coercive measures, and the theft, looting and destruction that the health sector was exposed to.
Al Ghabbash indicated that despite the corona pandemic, which increase the pressure on the health system and then the devastating earthquake disaster which struck several governments, the health sector continues to work diligently to provide the health services to citizens and secure their needs in implementation of the thirds goal of the sustainable developments goals in the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda.
It is noteworthy that the World Health Assembly unanimously elected Syria in May 2021 during its 74th session as a member of the Executive Council of the World Health Organization, representing the Eastern Mediterranean Region for a period of three years.
The Executive Council is one of the three constituent bodies of the World Health Organization, along with the General Secretariat and the World Health Assembly. Its powers include considering the nominations of the Director-General, appointing regional directors in agreement with the regional committees, and studying the program budget of the World Health Organization.
Souha suleiman