World Health Organization South-East Asia Regional Committee session begins in Colombo

Colombo, Asage 27. The 78th session of the World Health Organization (WHO) South-East Asia Regional Committee (Regional) began on Monday in Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka. The three-day meeting is attended by health ministers, senior officials and development partners from member states.

The session, which started with a commitment to 'healthy, equitable and sustainable regional health system', was inaugurated by the Speaker of the Parliament of Sri Lanka. Jagath Wickramaratne did it. The leaders of the health sector have promised "health for all, health from all".

In the opening session, Director General of WHO Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and Sri Lanka's Minister of Health and Mass Communication Dr. Keynote speakers including Nalind Jayatissa delivered speeches.

Acting Head of WHO South-East Asia Regional Office Dr. Speaking at the opening session, Catharina Boehme said that the foundation of global health security has been rebuilt through the International Health Regulations and the historic Pandemic Agreement.

According to him, "Amid complex crises, a changing health landscape and limited resources, WHO is moving towards becoming more focused, effective and accountable. We have made the organization more agile, flexible and responsive to the needs of Member States."

Dr. Boehme added, "We will advance the health sector through the use of innovation, strong leadership and results-driven work—guided by one principle: health for all, health by all."

A ministerial-level roundtable discussion on "Healthy Aging" is planned at the convention. It is estimated that by 2050, one in five people in South-East Asia will be over 60 years of age. Dr. According to Boehme, "This is an achievement for development and health, but also a challenge that requires our service systems to transform. Primary health care must be the foundation — for long-term, compassionate and continuous care."

The conference will also have serious discussions on non-communicable diseases and chronic health conditions. According to the WHO, tobacco use is the leading cause of death and disease in the South-East Asia region. Around 280 million adults use smokeless tobacco products and 1.1 million adolescents are involved in tobacco use. Member States will also discuss policies on controlling the use of smokeless tobacco, electronic cigarettes, nicotine pouches and betel nuts.

A proposal to further expand the South-East Asia Regional Health Emergency Fund is also under discussion in this session. Established since 2008, this fund has so far provided assistance in 49 emergency situations in 10 member states. It now plans to extend its mandate to the readiness and readiness phase.

Similarly, the regional action plan against Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) is another major agenda of the convention, linking it with global commitments.

Dr. Boehme concluded, "Our systems must be capable of supporting every stage of life, not just treatment—from prevention to continuing care. Together, we must remain committed to promoting, protecting and protecting the health of our nation's people."

The three-day conference is expected to bring forward concrete policy recommendations to strengthen sustainable, equitable and inclusive health systems in the South-East Asia region.