Minister of Health, Dr Joe Phaahla will this week attend the seventy-sixth World Health Assembly held in Geneva, Switzerland, on 21–30 May 2023.
The World Health Assembly is the decision-making body of World Health Organization (WHO) and is held annually, attended by delegations from all Member States.
This year`s Assembly will to focus on “saving lives, driving health for all” as the WHO turns 75 and focuses on a specific health agenda including the Universal Health Coverage, Public health emergencies, especially the pandemic prevention, preparedness and response. The week-long Assembly will also discuss effectiveness and efficiency of WHO in providing better support to countries.
Minister Phaahla will attend and participate in several sessions and other health activities. He will use the opportunity to hold bilateral engagements with other global leaders, including bilateral meeting with the US Secretary on Health, Xavier Becerra.
Since the country’s transition to democracy in 1994, the US 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.
Source: Government of South Africa