WHO to hold EMRO conference in Pakistan in September

Islamabad

Showing confidence in untiring efforts of the government and law enforcement agencies to restore law and order World Health Organisation (WHO) has decided to hold its annual conference Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMRO) in Pakistan in September this year in which health ministers of 22 countries would participate to discuss issues related to Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

The conference would involve key note speeches from health policy and health system experts involved in health system reform for moving towards UHC. In addition, plenary and panel sessions would be arranged to discuss specific health system components and their contribution to achieve the desired goals. The participants would also discuss three dimensions of UHC: financial protection, provision of needed services, and expanding coverage to the poor and vulnerable.

The spokesman of the ministry of national health services, regulations and coordination in his written reply to this correspondent stated "It is an honour for Pakistan to be selected to host the prestigious international conference which is the highest profile health event in the region."

"The event will bring together health ministers of 22 countries from the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region that includes countries from South Asia (Pakistan and Afghanistan), Central Asia, West Asia, Middle East and North Africa," he said.

He further said "The decision has been taken after Minister of State for National Health Services Saira Afzal Tarar presented Pakistan's case effectively at a regional conference of WHO as
potential host of the regional meeting."