Qatar attends session of WHO Regional Committee for Eastern Mediterranean

Qatar is participating in the 69th session of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional Committee for the Eastern Mediterranean, which kicked off Monday in Cairo, Egypt, and will continue for four days.The meetings are being held in a hybrid manner that involves in-person attendance and virtual participation. HE Dr Hanan Mohamed al-Kuwari, Minister of Public Health, is chairing Qatar’s delegation in the virtual meetings.Qatar is also participating in the virtual exhibition accompanying the meetings of the Regional Committee — Success Stories — where the country's 'Healthy Cities' are showcased. Recently, Qatar became the first country in the Eastern Mediterranean Region to receive the WHO 'Healthy City' award for all its municipalities, thanks to the country's enormous efforts in providing sustainable and healthier options for its population.The Cairo meetings will discuss several key issues in the field of public health, including building resilient health systems to promote universal health coverage; preventing, controlling and eradicating communicable diseases; promoting health and wellbeing in the region; and promoting digital health and the 'One Health' approach, which aims to sustainably balance and optimise the health of people, animals and ecosystems.The meetings will also review the progress achieved in terms of private sector participation to promote universal health coverage and the related nursing workforce, improve access to medicines and vaccines in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, implement the strategic framework for blood safety and address health issues facing populations affected by disasters and emergencies.