02 February 2016 - The Philippines, led by Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Janette Garin, participated in the 138th Executive Board Meeting of the World Health Organization (WHO) in Geneva, Switzerland from January 25 to 30.
The Philippines is a Member of the 34-strong board which facilitates the agenda for the 194 members of the WHO for the next World Health Assembly (WHA). The Board convenes its first meeting for 2016 amidst critical international health challenges brought about by pandemics, humanitarian emergencies, natural and man-made disasters, and the threat of increasing anti-microbial resistance.
In her report, WHO Director General Margaret Chan shared that “in a profoundly interconnected world, there is no such thing as a local outbreak, there is no such thing as a faraway war.... Ebola has taught the world that an outbreak in any part of the world can have global repercussions. The refugee crisis in Europe has taught the world that wars in faraway places will not stay remote,” she added.
In the last year, the global public health was tested by outbreaks of Ebola in Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia and of Middle East respiratory syndrome corona virus (MERS-CoV) in Korea. Moreover, the alarming danger of antimicrobial resistance became more urgent as China detected in animal and human samples of a mechanism of drug resistance involving the mcr-1 gene that is easily transferred from one bacterial strain to others with some epidemic potential. This raised the specter of bacteria that are resistant to all antibiotics. The unprecedented flow of migrants due to armed conflicts and protracted crisis have exposed new health challenges as migrants and refugee population face barriers to health services.
The WHO contemplates the creation of a new program of response to outbreaks and humanitarian emergencies that would strengthen the Organization’s ability to react with speed, flexibility, and coordinated efficiency along with a robust cadre of experts and health workers.
In her response, Secretary Garin expressed appreciation for the assistance and guidance of the WHO and international partners for the support extended to countries affected by outbreaks and emergencies, noting that "the information shared to us allows us to prioritize programs and set directions, considering the lessons learned from and by other countries."
Secretary Garin further noted that the "consideration of antimicrobial resistance comes at a very opportune time" explaining that while those who understand the threat are rightly fearful; there is a need to educate stakeholders of the threat to public health posed by imprudent use of antibiotics.
The Secretary noted that health is vulnerable to threats "be they environmental, economic, or man-made (emergencies). Hence, the importance of (placing) Universal Health Coverage" at the center of efforts to respect health as a human right.
The Executive Board will also discuss in the six-day meeting non-communicable diseases, infectious diseases, nutrition, obesity, HIV, mental health and maternal and child health, and Universal Health Care. The Board is also tasked to look at WHO’s strategies as it transitions its programs from the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“The future is clouded by some major threats to health that encircle the globe. They define some top priorities for urgent and collaborative action in the months ahead,” Director Chan said.
The Executive Board are to give effect to the decisions and policies of the Health Assembly, to advise it and generally to facilitate its work at the next World Health Assembly in the spring. END