Health Minister partakes in WHO Executive Board emergency meeting on Ebola virus

GENEVA, Jan 25 (KUNA) -- Minister of Health Ali Al-Obaidi headed a Kuwaiti delegation at the World Health Organization Executive Board's special session on the efforts exerted to control the spread of the deadly Ebola virus.
The special session reviewed the current state of WHO's Ebola response and set several recommendations for future large-scale and sustained outbreaks and emergencies. It also discussed preparedness in non-affected countries and regions.
The World Health Organization warned Friday that the Ebola situation was still "extremely alarming" despite a significant fall in new cases in West Africa. It noted that over 21,724 infected cases were reported in nine countries since it outbreak in Guinea a year ago. Some 8,641 people have died, according to WHO data.
The emergency session is held only one day before the start of the 136th regular session of the board which will last till February 3rd.
The Executive Board is composed of 34 members technically qualified in the field of health. Members are elected for three-year terms.
The meeting will agree the agenda for the May 2015 World Health Assembly and adopt resolutions to be forwarded to the Assembly.
Board Members will discuss priority issues in the areas of communicable and noncommunicable diseases; promoting health through the life course; preparedness, surveillance and response; and health systems as well as matters relating to programme, budget, management and governance, and WHO reform. (end) ta.ibi