Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi left on Friday evening to attend the 63rd World Assembly meeting starting tomorrow, 17 May in Geneva. The Minister is accompanied by senior officials in his department who are responsible for key areas that will be discussed at the meeting.
Taking place under the theme "The Commonwealth and Health Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015 the 63rd meeting attended by health Ministers from across the world will be discussing among others:
- Pandemic influenza preparedness: Sharing of influenza viruses and access to vaccines and other benefits item.
- Public health, innovation and intellectual property: global strategy and plan of action.
- International recruitment of health personnel: a draft code of practice.
- Strengthening the capacity of governments to constructively engage the private sector in providing essential health services.
- Strategies to reduce harmful use of alcohol.
- Counterfeit medical products.
Today (Sunday) Minister Motsoaledi will be joining other Ministers in the Annual Commonwealth Health Ministers meeting to discuss progress made towards the attainment of the MDGs and prepare for the WHA meeting which will be opened by the Director-General of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Dr Margaret Chan in the morning. After the statement by Dr Chan, Minister Motsoaledi will be among the Ministers to respond to the statement. The response of the Minister is expected to focus more on tuberculosis (TB) control and blood safety.
Requests for interviews with the Minister will be entertained subject to availability.
For more information please contact:
Fidel Hadebe
Tel: 012 312 0663
Cell: 079 517 3333
Source: Department of Health
