Pretoria – SA Health Minister Dr. Joe Phaahla is attending the week-long 76th World Health Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland from Sunday, 21 May 2023.
The World Health Assembly is the decision-making body of the World Health Organization (WHO) and is held annually, attended by delegations from all member states.
This year`s Assembly will focus on “saving lives, driving health for all” as the WHO turns 75 and focuses on a specific health agenda including Universal Health Coverage, Public health emergencies, especially pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response.
The Assembly, which ends next week on Tuesday, (30 May 2023), will also discuss the effectiveness and efficiency of WHO in providing better support to countries.
“Dr. Phaahla will attend and participate in several sessions and other health activities,” said Health Departmental Spokesperson Foster Mohale.
“He will use the opportunity to hold bilateral engagements with other global leaders, including a bilateral meeting with the US Secretary on Health, Xavier Becerra.”
Since the country transitioned to democracy in 1994, the U.S.A. government has partnered with the South African government to strengthen the country’s healthcare system; providing HIV/Aids testing, treatment, and care for millions of South Africans.
The two counties entered into a Memorandum of Understanding in July 2022 to establish a Bilateral Health Forum to provide a platform for discussing the broad range of health programs, partnerships, and other collaborations between the Participants in South Africa.
