Health Minister comfortable with Kuwaiti positive role at WHO meetings

TUNIS, Oct 22 (KUNA) -- Minister of Health Ali Saad Al-Obaidi expressed satisfaction on Wednesday for Kuwait's role in meetings of the World Health Organization's (WHO) Regional Committee for the Eastern Mediterranean, noting that it was active and positive on all levels.
The minister added that recommendations issued at the end of WHO meetings in Tunis were very productive.
Al-Obaidi told KUNA prior to the conclusion of his visit to Tunisia that the recommendations were about working on formulating a joint action to combat the dangers of global emergencies through training of national cadres that are capable of responding to various types of crisis, and to address all forms of epidemics and the spread of viruses and diseases.
The minister pointed out the organization (WHO) is ready to send experts to assess countries' ability to respond to emergencies, especially at the level of communicable diseases as well as to invite various parties to adhere to international standards, including rating non-communicable diseases.
The minister express satisfaction to Kuwaiti health delegation which has offered proposals aiming to activate the role of the WHO, adding that it was noticed that most participants in the session interacted well with the achievements the country has realized under His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.
Al-Obaidi pointed out to the success of his country during the past years in achieving the five priorities ratified by the World Health Organization in 2012, which is to strengthen health systems and to complete the work to combat communicable diseases and non-communicable diseases and maternal and child health and emergency preparedness and response.
Later, the minister and his accompanying delegation departed Tunisia and heading back home.
Last night, participants in meetings of the World Health Organization's (WHO) Regional Committee for the Eastern Mediterranean discussed preparations for health emergencies and treating non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
They were also discussing capabilities of the 22 countries to prepare for disasters amidst spread of viruses like Ebola. (end) ali.mb