WHO DG calls on health minister

Director General of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Dr.Margaret Chan, who is currently in Bhutan visit, has called on Health Minister Tandin Wangchuk.

WHO is one of the major donor for Bhutan’s health initiatives since the country became its member in 1982.

The minister thanked Dr Chan for valuable assistance received from WHO which has been instrumental in improving the health outcomes of the country and continued support to not only maintain the progress made thus far but also to overcome new challenges in health.

Minister Wangchuk also reported on the ‘Conference on Advancing Universal Health Coverage in South-East Asia’ from 23rd to 25th April, 2014 held in Bhutan and reaffirmed Bhutan’s commitment towards Universal Health Coverage in Bhutan.

Dr.Margaret Chan emphasized on the importance of investment in health prevention and also underlined the issue of sustainability in health care. She strongly expressed the need for people to take responsibility for their health in which the role of the health sector would be to intensify the advocacy activities.

The problems face by small countries in procuring essential medicines was also stressed upon and suggested that small countries in the region could join together in order to undertake joint procurement.