CubaPLUS Magazine

Cuba has been elected as a member of the General Committee of the World Health Assembly, an entity comprised of 17 nations responsible for making decisions regarding the functioning of the organization, according to official sources.

As the decision-making body of the WHO, the World Health Assembly's primary functions include determining policies, appointing the Director-General, overseeing financial policies, and reviewing and approving the proposed program budget.

As part of the program of activities of the 78th World Health Assembly, which commenced today at the World Health Organization (WHO) headquarters in Geneva, the Cuban delegation, led by Minister José Ángel Portal, engaged in discussions with its Director-General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, during the inaugural ceremony.

A press release notes that the Cuban Minister of Public Health held bilateral meetings with his counterpart from Panama, Dr. Fernando Boyd Galindo, as well as with the Minister of Health and Population of Malawi, Hon. Khumbize K. Chiponda.

He also met with the Federal Minister for National Health Services, Regulation and Coordination of Pakistan, Dr. Syed Mustafá Kamal; Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana, Minister of Health of Rwanda; and Mr. Lei Haichao, Minister in charge of the National Health Commission of China.

Minister Portal also conferred with his counterparts from Mexico, David Kershenobich Stalnikowitz, and Cape Verde, Jorge Figueiredo, in addition to the head of the Azerbaijani delegation to the World Health Assembly, Vugar Mammadov, Director of International Cooperation for Health of that nation.

As part of the first day of the event, which runs until the 27th, the Cuban official signed a Memorandum of Understanding for cooperation in health matters with his counterpart from the Sultanate of Oman, Dr. Hilal bin Ali bin Hilal Al Sabti.

The extensive program of activities included a visit to the headquarters of the GAVI Vaccine Alliance and discussions with its representatives, as well as a meeting with executives from the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

Minister Portal also shared with the staff of the Permanent Mission of Cuba to the UN in Geneva.

The 78th World Health Assembly will focus on the approval of over 40 resolutions, including the Treaty on future pandemics.

Under the theme "One world, united for health," the program includes debates on the proposed program budget for 2026-2027, aligned with the WHO's 14th General Programme of Work, the organization's global health strategy for the period 2025–2028.

Furthermore, decisions will be made on priorities such as the elimination of cervical cancer, lung and kidney health, rare diseases, diagnostic imaging capacity, skin diseases, traditional medicine, lead exposure, health financing, and antimicrobial resistance.

(Taken from Prensa Latina)