11 October 2024, Doha, Qatar – The Seventy-first session of the WHO Regional Committee for the Eastern Mediterranean is set to unfold in the heart of Doha from 14 to 17 October 2024, coalescing around the evocative theme: "Health Beyond Borders: Action, Access, Equity."
A convergence of health ministers and distinguished representatives from the 22 Member States, along with partners from civil society, will deliberate on pressing public health challenges that demand urgent attention and collective action.
The inaugural session will be graced by the words of WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean Dr. Hanan Balkhy, and Somalia’s Minister of Health and Human Services H.E. Dr. Ali Haji Adam Abubakar, chairing the previous Regional Committee. Also present will be Qatar’s own Minister of Public Health, H.E. Dr. Hanan Al-Kuwari.
Dr. Balkhy will unfold her regional vision aimed at gaining endorsement from Member States—a vision designed to secure the highest attainable health standards for all in the region. Central to this vision are three pioneering initiatives: enhancing equitable access to vital medications and vaccines, cultivating a resilient health workforce, and addressing the multifaceted challenges posed by substance use disorders, which ripple through society affecting morbidity and mortality rates.
"The backbone of our aspirations rests upon these three flagship initiatives, which will act as catalysts for our strategic operational blueprint, grounded in WHO’s Fourteenth General Programme of Work (GPW14)," Dr. Balkhy emphasized.
Spanning the next four years, the Regional Strategic Operational Plan articulates WHO’s objectives in harmony with national priorities and delineates actionable pathways. Like GPW14, it is anchored by a robust accountability framework.
Amidst the agenda are critical debates on public health priorities, comprehensive technical papers, and a medley of panel discussions and ancillary events aimed at fostering dialogue and innovation.
Among the topics of discussion, a spotlight will shine on antimicrobial resistance (AMR), an escalating global menace. Strikingly, the Eastern Mediterranean Region holds the dubious distinction of the highest—and swiftly increasing—rate of antibiotic consumption among WHO regions. The misuse and overuse of these vital drugs threaten to unleash a wave of drug-resistant infections, imperiling both human and animal health.
Moreover, the Region grapples with a burden of trauma intensified by ongoing crises. A streamlined trauma care pathway, integrated within a holistic emergency service framework, remains essential; yet, many a fragile healthcare system is faltering, hampered by conflict’s devastating toll.
In a comprehensive bid for progress, a technical paper on Health Information Systems (HISs) will propose a visionary strategy aimed at digitizing and enhancing national data systems. The goal? To empower countries to produce high-quality, timely, and reliable health data—critical for informed policymaking and progress monitoring towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Mental health, which presently shadows 5.1% of the global disease burden and 5.4% within this Region, will also command attention. A pivotal technical paper detailing a regional action plan for mental health and psychosocial support in emergencies (2024-2030) is scheduled for review, paving the way for member endorsement.
In an array of panel discussions, experts will explore the dual-edged sword of artificial intelligence—nurturing opportunities while navigating inherent risks—to bolster universal health coverage and security throughout the Region.
Spanning a populace of nearly 700 million, WHO’s Eastern Mediterranean Region encases nations of considerable wealth alongside those beset by fragility and conflict. The backdrop for RC71 is particularly poignant, as new conflicts unfurl in these turbulent times.
An update on the health and humanitarian landscape in the occupied Palestinian Territory will be provided. The situation in the Gaza Strip is dire; an entire populace has been severed from sustained aid. Disturbingly, polio has re-emerged after a 25-year absence, paralyzing a 10-month-old boy who was unvaccinated. In September, progress was made when approximately 560,000 children under ten received vaccinations—thanks to the cooperative efforts of the Ministry of Health, WHO, and partners, coupled with humanitarian pauses and community responsiveness. However, an estimated 40,600 lives have already been lost, predominantly among women and children, a figure that continues to escalate. Civilian and healthcare infrastructure is under relentless threat, while the specter of disease outbreaks looms ever larger.
Dr. Balkhy voiced the urgency of response: "Over 100 million individuals are currently in dire need of humanitarian aid, particularly in health. Only a lasting ceasefire can afford families in the Gaza Strip the opportunity to heal and reconstruct their lives."
Health ministers and participants will also be briefed on the progress of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body (INB), polio eradication efforts in the Eastern Mediterranean, advancements toward the strategic framework for blood safety and availability (2016-2025), and the regional strategy designed to enhance access to medicines and vaccines from 2020 to 2030—ultimately pushing toward the vision of universal health coverage and actionable steps towards achieving health-related SDGs.
Note to Editors:
WHO’s regional endeavors are steered by regional committees, convening annually each October. These assemblies formulate policies, oversee regional programs, and endorse initiatives that will shape the trajectory of the Regional Office and country offices in the ensuing year.
For more information, please contact:
Mona Yassin
Communications Officer
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Mobile: +201006019284
RC71 website: https://www.emro.who.int/about-who/rc71/index.html
