KUALA LUMPUR – Earlier today, Director-General of Health, Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah, announced that our Minister of Health Khairy Jamaluddin had been elected as the Vice President of the upcoming World Health Assembly (WHA) through his Twitter.
“Today I am pleased to announce that at the 72nd WHO RCM for the Western Pacific Region in Himeji Japan, YB Khairy Jamaluddin had been unanimously elected as the Vice President of the upcoming Seventy-fifth World Health Assembly which will take place from 22-28 May 2022 in Geneva.”
In a follow-up post, he mentioned that it is a great honour for Malaysia. He also promised to take this opportunity to pursue more essential roles in global health.
It is indeed a great honour for Malaysia to be accorded with the Vice Presidency of WHA and we will take this opportunity to pursue a bigger role in the global health.
— Noor Hisham Abdullah (@DGHisham) October 27, 2021
Coincidentally Malaysia is also serving in the executive board of World Health Organisation from 2021 to 2024. pic.twitter.com/YBpeBhgryn
Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin retweeted his post and thanked World Health Organization, Western Pacific (WHOWPRO), for their nomination and election.
He also promised to bring the voice of Western Pacific to the world assembly, especially on the principles of equity, solidarity and accountability.
Thank you to all the @WHOWPRO countries for unanimously nominating Malaysia as Vice President for the World Health Assembly 2022. We will bring the voice of the Western Pacific to the world assembly especially on the principles of equity, solidarity and accountability. https://t.co/JxPAWAb00x
— Khairy Jamaluddin 🇲🇾🌺 (@Khairykj) October 27, 2021
They are now in Himeji, Japan, to attend the 72nd Regional Committee Meeting (RCM) of WHO Western Pacific Region (WHOWPRO).
Most netizens were delighted by the good news and congratulated the Ministry for their accomplishment.
World Health Assembly
World Health Assembly (WHA) is an annual event held at the headquarters of WHO in Geneva, Switzerland.
Delegates from all WHO Member States will attend the Health Assembly to discuss a health agenda fixed by the Executive Board.
“The main functions of the World Health Assembly are to determine the policies of the Organization, appoint the Director-General, supervise financial policies, and review and approve the proposed programme budget,” writes WHO’s website.
According to Dr. Noor Hisham, WHA, comprises of 194 members is the highest decision-making body of WHO.
“Malaysia was given due recognition for its active role on the global health platform in the 69th WHA in 2015 and again in the upcoming 75th WHA in 2022 representing all 37 member states from WPR.”
The 75th WHA is scheduled to take place from 22nd to 28th May 2022.
Cover Images via Twitter/ @DGHisham
Proofreader: Anna Wong
