Meeting of health ministers of WHO's S-E Asia region next week

Making health systems resilient to climate change, improving access to essential medicines for all and intensifying efforts to end tuberculosis are among key issues that will be discussed at a meeting of health ministers of WHO South-East Asia Region next week.
The 70th regional committee session of WHO South-East Asia Region is being hosted by Maldives from September 6-10, said an official statement.
World Health Organisation Director-General Tedros Adhanom and Regional Director Poonam Khetrapal Singh will address the meeting.
WHO Goodwill Ambassador for Hepatitis in South-East Asia Region, Amitabh Bachchan, will join the meeting to advocate for urgent action against viral hepatitis, a preventable disease.

"Strengthening primary health care and the health workforce and progress towards universal health coverage are among other priority issues being addressed at the meeting.
"The focus of the meeting will be climate change - on how to build health systems' resilience to climate change. A well prepared and responsive health system is crucial for preventing and minimising the increasing health risks posed by climate change," the statement said.
The Regional Committee will also review recent progress on priority programmes and discuss next steps to safeguard the health of people throughout WHO South-East Asia Region.