Botswana has been elected to serve in the Executive Board of the World Health Organization (WHO) at the just ended virtual 73rd World Health Assembly (WHA).
A press statement from the Ministry of Health and Wellness states that minister, Dr Lemogang Kwape accompanied by acting Permanent Secretary Ms Baile Moagi and other senior ministry officials attended this virtual WHA meeting.
The gathering is attended annually by WHO member states, and the WHA is a decision-making body of WHO, which determines the policies of the organization.
During the meeting, Botswana had an opportunity to present a ministerial statement in response to the WHO Director General’s address as well as share the country’s national response to COVID-19 pandemic.
Botswana will therefore serve for a period of three years with the minister serving as the substantive member of the Executive Board and the acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry will serve as the alternative member.
The main functions of the Board are to implement the decisions and policies of the Health Assembly and advice and to facilitate its work.
Other countries elected are Ghana, Guinea Bissau and Madagascar as part of the African member States representing the region in the board and other member states who have been serving in the board are Burkina Faso and Kenya.
The press statement further states that the appointment of the Ministry of Health and Wellness to the Executive Board demonstrates the confidence and trust that the World Health Assembly country members have in Botswana.
Source: Daily News Botswana
