At the ongoing 74 th session of the World Health Organization Regional Committee for Africa, Liberia’s Health Minister, Dr. Louise M. Kpoto, has been elected as one of the Vice Chairs of the committee.
This session, held in Congo Brazzaville, runs from August 26 to 30 and serves as a important forum where WHO’s regional decision-making body convenes annually to discuss and endorse policies, activities, and financial plans aimed at improving health outcomes across Africa. The session opened with remarks from the President of the Republic of Congo, Denis Sassou Nguesso, who called on African states to unite in support of the “Quality in Primary Health Care” initiative. He emphasized that disease vectors do not recognize borders, making prevention through vaccination, adherence to health regulations, quality nutrition, and physical activity essential for safeguarding the health of African populations.
This year’s session has drawn nearly 1,000 participants, including WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and health ministers from 47-member countries. The discussions are focusing on key health issues affecting the continent, including efforts to strengthen health systems through WHO reforms, the urgent need to address preventable child mortality, and strategies for the eradication of polio and prevention of cervical cancer. A special emphasis is placed on the importance of HPV vaccination and screening as part of cervical cancer prevention efforts.
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