The meetings of the 68th session of the Regional Committee for the Eastern Mediterranean (EMRC68) commenced today (Monday) virtually, facilitated from WHO’s Regional Office in Cairo, Egypt for four days. The meeting is joining Health Ministers, and high-ranking representatives from the EM region countries along with partner organizations to discuss priority public health issues. 

The Sultanate represented by the Ministry of Health is participating in the EMRC68 with an official delegation headed by H.E. Dr. Ahmed Mohammed Al Saidi, Minister of Health with the presence of H.E. Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi, Minister of Foreign Affairs, as well  MOH’s Undersecretaries for and senior officials.

Within the Sultanate’s efforts in the field of international health cooperation, the meetings included a panel discussion to advocate Global Health for Peace Initiative, which reaffirms the continued work with counterparties in Switzerland in order to achieve cooperation and solidarity for peace preservation particularly in the EM region. The GHPI is pushing the international strategy to promote and enable health in bringing close perspectives and contribute in conflict resolution.

H.E. Health Minister Dr. Ahmed Al Saidi gave a word in the panel discussion where he confirmed that the increase in conflict and violence around the world, and in our region in particular affects the livelihoods of millions of people, displacing them, and depriving them of their most basic rights of health and wellbeing. Al Saidi added that in addition to the obvious direct health costs, the worst burden comes from the indirect costs caused by disruption of economic and social systems, violence and disempowerment of individuals.

The health Minister outlined that the GHPI will promote advocacy at national, regional, and global levels among Member States, partners, and other stakeholders to turn to health as a bridge for peace in conflict affected countries and as a tool to strengthen international collaboration during health emergencies. It is going to generate opportunities for design, implementation, and evaluation of health programs in conflict and post conflict situations for sustainable development, health improvement and human rights.

It should be noted that this panel is part of the WHORC meeting’s agenda to discuss Health for Peace Initiative that was launched by the Sultanate with the partnership of Switzerland and WHO in 2019.