Feature Articles

66th Session of the WHO Regional Committee for the Western Pacific, 21-25 Sept 2009, Hong Kong

Ref Number: ESEAOR200909

  • Date1 Sep 2009
  • Category FPA Message
  • TargetsN/A
  • AuthorFPAHK
  • Topic Others

Dr Susan Fan, Executive Director of FPAHK, attended the 66th Session of the World Health Organization’s Regional Committee for the Western Pacific which was held in Hong Kong on 21-25 September 2009, as an observer representing IPPF. The Regional Committee comprises representatives from the Region’s Member States and Associate Members who meet annually in September.

The opening ceremony was held at the Hong Kong Academy of Medicine Jockey Club Building and was officiated by the Honorable Mr Donald Tsang, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), together with Dr Margaret Chan, WHO Director-General. Dr PY Lam, Director of Health of the HKSAR, was elected as the new Chairman.

During the ensuing week, the meeting discussed a wide range of issues pertaining to public health in the region, including communicable and non-communicable diseases, vaccines, laboratory services, tobacco free initiative, global financial crisis and health impacts, and health financing strategy in Asia and the Pacific.

Dr Fan took the opportunity to present a brief paper calling for renewed effort towards achieving MDG 5 – Improve Maternal Health.