Minister of Public Health participates in WHO investment round

DOHA: Minister of Public Health, H E Dr Hanan Mohamed Al Kuwari participated in the World Health Organization s (WHO) investment round, held on Wednes...

DOHA: Minister of Public Health, H E Dr Hanan Mohamed Al Kuwari participated in the World Health Organization’s (WHO) investment round, held on Wednesday at the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha. The event was attended by several esteemed Ministers and senior officials from countries of the Eastern Mediterranean Region, as well as representatives from international, regional, and national organisations.

During the investment round, pledges amounting to approximately $36m were gathered to fund the WHO in the Eastern Mediterranean Region.

In her address during the investment round, H E Dr Hanan Mohamed Al Kuwari stated, “The State of Qatar firmly believes that investing in global health is an investment in global stability, security, and prosperity. Qatar was among the first countries in the world to respond to the World Health Organization’s plea for a core voluntary contribution in 2021 to support the response to the COVID-19 pandemic and other emergencies. Recognising the urgent need for ongoing, reliable, and long-term support for the WHO’s budget, we reaffirmed our commitment to the [World Health] Organization in May 2024.”

The Minister added, “We stand ready to continue discussions with the World Health Organization to determine our contribution to the financial resources needed to implement the Organization’s 14th General Programme of Work. We are confident that this will strengthen health systems globally, making them more resilient and capable of addressing challenges such as pandemics and non-communicable diseases.”

She explained that the investment round for the WHO underscores the shared commitment to ensuring the future of global health, stating that “In the face of a rapidly evolving health landscape, securing sustainable and stable funding for the 14th General Programme of Work is not just necessary; it is a moral obligation we owe to future generations.”