Health Minister presents Executive Board report to World Health Assembly

Geneva: Minister of Public Health and Chair of the Executive Board of the World Health Organization (WHO), H E Dr. Hanan Mohammed Al Kuwari, presen...

Geneva: Minister of Public Health and Chair of the Executive Board of the World Health Organization (WHO),

H E Dr. Hanan Mohammed Al Kuwari, presented the Executive Board’s report from its 153rd and 154th sessions as well as its 7th special session at the 77th World Health Assembly meetings held in Geneva, which continues until June 1.

H E Al Kuwari highlighted that during the 7th special session in December 2023, the Executive Board adopted a resolution on the health conditions in the occupied Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem. The resolution called on member states, donors, and international humanitarian and development actors to provide humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian people. The board also expressed deep concern about the severe humanitarian crisis unfolding in the Gaza Strip.

The Minister noted that the Executive Board recommended the World Health Assembly adopt a decision to promote health and well-being through sports events.

The draft decision for the “Strengthening Health and Well-Being Through Sport Events,” adopted by the Executive Board in its 154th session, was proposed by Qatar and supported by numerous countries, including EU member states, African Union countries, China, Belarus, Malaysia, Panama, and countries from the Eastern Mediterranean Region. The draft decision builds on the extensive experience and legacy of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, aiming to use major global sports events as beacons of health and safety, underscoring the interconnection between sports and health as sources of happiness and well-being.