In his keynote address, PM Nepal thanked WHO and other partners for supporting the government´s health initiatives and expressed commitment to further strengthen Nepal´s health sector. “The budget for the health sector has been increased three-fold in the last few years to around seven percent of the country´s GDP now. Through the health sector review, the government is committed to further upgrade its health provisions,” the PM said.
Health ministers from 11 member countries and other delegates will deliberate on protecting human health from climate change impacts, measles, code of practice for international recruitment of health personnel, engagement with private sector, South-East Asia Regional Health Emergency Fund, progress and challenges in polio eradication, strengthening health workforce in South-East Asia, public health innovation and intellectual property, combating counterfeit medical products, strategies to reduce harmful use of alcohol and pandemic influenza preparedness, among others, during the four-day meeting.
Director General of WHO Dr Margaret Chan said the world was in the midst of the most ambitious drive in history to reduce poverty and gaps in health outcomes through achieving Millennium Development Goals. She also stressed the need for greater coordination in the current scenario when the world is also in the midst of a severe economic downturn, when it is facing the first influenza pandemic after four decades, and when it has already started feeling the effects of climate change that will continue for a few decades to come.
“Developing countries have the greatest vulnerability to global crises and the least resilience. They are hit the hardest and take the longest to recover,” Dr Chan talked about the challenges of health systems at a time when the differences within and between countries in income levels, opportunities, health outcomes are greater than any time in recent history.
Minister for Health and Population Umakant Chaudhari and Minister of State for Health and Population Khadga Bahadur Basyal also pointed the health challenges facing the country while South-East Asia Regional Director of WHO Dr Samlee Plianbangchang highlighted the regional scenario.
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