Mozambique to Host WHO African Region Committee Meeting

Mozambique to host WHO African Region Committee meeting

MAPUTO, Aug. 2 (Xinhua) — Maputo city, the capital of Mozambique, is to host the next meeting of the World Health Organization (WHO)’s African Regional Committee, which is due to take place on August 22-26.

According to a press release issued by the committee on Tuesday, Luis Sambo, who was appointed for the post of WHO regional director in September 2004, will present the annual report for Africa, on achievements and challenges in the implementation of the different resolutions approved by the previous meeting.

The most important issues to be discussed during the meeting include the growing number of heart diseases, the implementation of the Anti-tobacco Convention, progress in the Millennium Development Goals, local production of medicines, etc.

Among other issues to be debated are the fight against diseases such as tuberculosis, leprosy, polio, and an integrated vigilance against pandemics.

Training and management of human resources, brain drainage of medical staff, the organization’s own 2006-2007 budget, are also on the agenda.

Parallel meetings are to take place to discuss specific matters, such as the sustainable financing of health systems, HIV/AIDS prevention, and inequalities in the rendering of health services.