Union Minister for Health and Sports Dr. Myint Htwe and his delegation attended the 72nd World Health Assembly (WHA72) held at the office of the United Nations (Headquarters) in Geneva, Switzerland, from 20 to 25 May and returned to Yangon on 26 May.

The WHA72 was attended by health ministers and delegations from 192 member states, officials from the organizations under the UN and INGOs and invited representatives.

Myanmar delegation attended the discussions (morning session), committee meetings and expert talks (afternoon session) on efficiency of the WHO in South-East Asia Region.

Union Minister Dr. Myint Htwe attended the meeting on Vaccination coverage reaching every child conducted by the Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance as a Gavi Board member. Next, Union Minister held talks with WHO Assistant Director General Dr. Samira Asma and party and discussed the matters relating to rendering assistances to Myanmar’s health surveys that will be conducted in this year. Myanmar’s participation in making the analysis of the health index for No. 13 of World Health’s scheme, identifying the health problems and doing the translation works of the ICD-11 into Myanmar. During the meeting with WHO Director General Dr. Shambhu Acharya, they discussed the matters related to the renewal of the drawing up the Country Cooperative Strategy.

Union Minister Dr. Myint Htwe held talks with the Global Malaria Coordinator of the United States Dr. Ken Staley and discussed the matters on enhancing healthcare awareness using digital system, management system for distribution of the medicine, health news and elimination of malaria.

During the meeting with President of the World Federation of Societies of Anesthesiologist Dr. Jannicke Mellin-Olsen and party, Union Minister Dr. Myint Htwe discussed the matters on conducting short training course for Anesthesiology and upgrading the curriculum.

Then Union Minister Dr. Myint Htwe met with the Regional Director of the WHO South-East Asia Region Dr. Poonam Khetrapal Singh and discussed the matters concerning upgrading the Myanmar Health Information system, sharing the healthcare digital data among the member countries, holding regional-level meeting in Myanmar, efforts to reduce the trachoma and elephantiasis, mortality rate of the children under five years old and appointment of WHO deputy regional representative in Myanmar.

The Union Minister held talks with Head of Global Public Health from Johnson & Johnson Mr. Jacques Peeters and discussed the matters regarding the treatment of the TB, human resource development, HIV treatment and other cooperation.

The Union Minister attended the meeting on preventive measures for diseases in cooperation with the people on 22th May. Next, Union Minister held talks with Stop TB Partnership Executive Director Dr. Lucica Ditiu, Philip Healthcare System General Manager Mr. Suvendra Das and City Cancer Challenge CEO Dr. Susan Henshall.

Union Minister Dr. Myint Htwe attended the meeting conducted by members of Myanmar, Indonesia, the Philippines, Laos, Kenya, Afghanistan, WHO and JICA and discussed matter concerning systematic storage of mothers and children record and healthcare system. At the meeting with TB Alliance Senior Vice President Mr. Sandeep Juenja and they discussed on cooperative measures to fight against TB and digital healthcare system. Then Union Minister held talks with high-ranking officials from the World Fund Organization and discussed the matters on medicine supply, better management systems, malaria, HIV and other diseases. Union Minister Dr. Myint Htwe attended the event of the Dr. Lee Jong-wook Memorial Prize for Public Health and Myanmar and India received the prizes on 4 May. Following this, Union Minister Dr. Myint Htwe answered the interview of the WHO Bulletin.—MNA
(Translated by Win Ko Ko Aung)