Dr Clarice Modeste-Curwen, Health and Social Security Minister is attending the 67th World Health Assembly (WHA) which began in Geneva, Switzerland on 20 May. The 6-day meeting is the highest decision- making body of the World Health Organisation (WHO), and is attended by delegations from all WHO member states.
The WHA discusses issues related to reforming WHO and improving the process of decision making within its various departments, in addition to combating common diseases and improving health practices and health institutions.
On Monday Dr Modeste-Curwen participated in a caucus of Caricom Health Ministers, which considered health related matters of importance to Caricom, urgent regional health matters of ministerial importance, and opportunities for joint action at the assembly.
More than 3000 delegates are attending the annual assembly. High level representatives from WHO’s 194 Member States will discuss and make decisions on key global health issues. Some of these include:
- efforts to prevent and control non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, cancers and chronic lung disease;
- a new global strategy and targets to prevent and control tuberculosis;
- progress on WHO’s global strategy for maternal and young child nutrition;
- progress towards the Millennium Development Goals and the role of health on the post-2015 development agenda;
- efforts to improve access to essential medicines and strengthen the systems that regulate medicines; and
- protecting more people from vaccine-preventable diseases.
Dr Modeste Curwen returns to Grenada next Monday.
Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Ministry with responsibility for Implementation, Senator Kenny Lalsingh is acting Health and Social Security Minister.
Source: GIS
