Minister Sigoto In Switzerland For Health Talks

Office Of The
Prime Minister And Cabinet

Government Communication Unit

Media Release 23-05-12-GH

Minister Sigoto In Switzerland For Health Talks

Minister for Health and Medical Services, Hon Charles Sigoto is in Geneva, Switzerland, leading Solomon Islands Delegation to the 65th World Health Assembly (WHA) Conference.

The WHA is an annual meeting of Health Ministers of members of the World Health Organization (WHO).

The Conference which opened on Monday 21st May will conclude on Saturday 26th May 2012.

The main focus of the 65th WHA is on Non-Communicable Disease (NCDs), WHO Reforms and the commitment to universal coverage or access to health services by all citizens.

This is to ensure the World Health Body continue to provide improved and sustained health initiatives and programmes to mitigate global health challenges and problems, especially in poor developing countries.

At the opening of the Conference, Hon Sigoto on behalf of Solomon Islands was elected as one of the five (5) Vice Presidents of the Meeting to assist the President, Health Minister of Cote D’lVoire, guide the deliberations of the Meeting.

Hon Sigoto also took the opportunity to witness the signing of the Agreement between SIG and WHO to upgrade the status of the WHO Liaison Office in Honiara to a WHO Representative Office.

The Agreement which was approved by Cabinet earlier this year was signed on behalf of WHO by Dr Shin Young-Soo, Regional Director, WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific based in Manila, Philippine.

Also present at the signing ceremony were, the Permanent Secretary for Health, Dr Lester Ross, other Senior Government Officials, including Solomon Islands Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office in Geneva, HE Ambassador Mose.

Photo: Hon Charles Sigoto holding the signed Agreement with Dr Shin Young-Soo

ENDS

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