Southeast Asian health ministers to meet

High blood pressure and ageing are some of the key issues which would be discussed when health ministers of 11 southeast Asian countries meet here from Tuesday.

The three-day meet, which is being hosted by India, would be inaugurated by President Pranab Mukherjee.

The countries in the southeast Asian region include India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Indonesia and Maldives.

The health ministers are expected to adopt a special declaration on high blood pressure. There is also expected to be a separate declaration on ageing, an official release Monday said.

Some of the other key issues that would be discussed are universal health coverage, targets for prevention and control of non-communicable diseases, measles elimination and rubella control.

The event also has an international significance since election for the post of regional director, WHO (southeast Asian region) would be held during the regional committee meeting and India is fielding a candidate for the position for the first time after 44 years.

Poonam Khetrapal Singh would be India's candidate for the post.