PH Participates in Virtual 73rd Session of the World Health Assembly
Philippine Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III leads the Philippine delegation to the 73rd Session of the World Health Assembly (WHA73). (Geneva PM photo)
28 May 2020 – Philippine Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III led the Philippine delegation to the 73rd Session of the World Health Assembly (WHA73), the first-ever held virtually, which opened on 18 May 2020.
In his national statement, the Secretary shared the Philippine response to the COVID-19 pandemic through a “whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach on quick response, resource management, and strategic communication” involving all sectors. In an effort to build resilience, the country has increased testing capacity, provided guidelines for mass repatriation and quarantine for migrants, implemented safe pathways to contain COVID-19 in healthcare settings, built city-wide community-managed Health Care Provider networks, and crafted guidelines on non-pharmaceutical interventions in transitioning to the “new normal”.
To contribute to the global effort, the Philippines is participating in the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Solidarity Trial on the Research and Development (R&D) platform, using the four treatment regimens being tested for repurposing for COVID-19.
The Secretary called attention on the Global Code of Practice on the Recruitment of Migrant Health Workers in a pandemic, the universal health care in countries of origin, the transit and destination should not leave behind the migrant populations, and the sustained support for the WHO Health Emergencies Program, to help countries with weaker health systems.
Joining a total of 146 countries as a co-sponsor of the landmark resolution entitled “COVID-19 Response,” adopted by consensus during the Assembly, the Philippines called for intensified efforts to control the pandemic, and for equitable access to, and fair distribution of, all essential health technologies and products to combat the virus. The resolution also calls for an independent and comprehensive evaluation of the global response, including the WHO’s performance.
The virtual World Health Assembly was suspended on 19 May 2020, and is scheduled to be resumed later in the year, when it is hoped the pandemic can be better managed, allowing for public gatherings to resume. END
For more information, visit https://www.genevapm.dfa.gov.ph or https://www.facebook.com/PHinGenevaUN/.