Ministry of Health Participates in 74th Session of the WHO Regional Committee

Brazzaville – Congo, 29th August 2024 — Ministry of Health Participates in 74th Session of the WHO Regional Committee for Africa

Hon. Dr. Harriet Akello Pasquale, Undersecretary of the National Ministry of Health, attended the Seventy-Fourth Session of the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Committee for Africa in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo from August 26th to 30th, 2024.

Over 500 people, including WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and health ministers from 47-member countries, are participating in this session. The session will discuss several health issues concerning the African continent. Topics include: Transformation for Results: "Strengthening African Health Systems through WHO Reforms".

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In her remarks during the session, Dr. Harriet Pasquale highlighted the cooperation and support the WHO Regional Office provided through the transformative agenda.

“I would like to congratulate the WHO Regional Director Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, for the commendable support she has given South Sudan, the country has witnessed significant achievement in improving its health system,”.

The Honourable Undersecretary also applauded the role of WHO support given to South Sudan in developing manyhealth policies, strategies, and guidance.

“We commend the support in strengthening our immunisation programs, in particular, during outbreak response such as measles, yellow fever, Covid-19, cholera, and polio immunisation campaigns; WHO has supported coordination and collaboration among partners and has been so instrumental in supporting the dialogue for the country to win a $430 million grant of multi-donor trust fund”. Dr. Harriet has added. 

The 74th session of the WHO Regional Committee for Africa has elected a new Regional Director for Africa, to replace the outgoing Dr. Matshidiso Moeti.

Dr. Harriet Pasquale also appreciated Dr. Moeti, the outgoing WHO Regional Director for 10 years of leadership and tremendous achievements. Furthermore, she expresses her congratulations to the newly nominated WHO Regional Director for Africa Dr. Faustine Ndugulile.

The Regional Committee is the WHO decision-making body in the region, convening once a year to discuss and endorse policies, activities, and financial plans aimed at improving the health of the people of Africa.

The Honourable Undersecretary is accompanied by Dr. Gabriel Thuou Loi, Director General of Medical Training and Professional Development.

Report by: Hol Joseph