[Day 3 and 4] WHOs Western Pacific Regional Committee, Technical Programmes and Closing

Continuing with the unfinished agenda item 16—program reports on technical programmes,
the Member States and the WPRO official had many discussions on topics: malaria and
antemisinin resistance, expanded program on immunization (EPI), and HIV/AIDS prevention
and treatment. During the discussion, China presented their success on tobacco control: the
initiative on smoke-free working environment, improving their surveillance system, etc. Philippine
also presented their plan on tobacco control from 2011 to 2016. In order to achieve the Millennium
Development Goals, most Member States asked for the WHO’s fund and technical support, and some
of the Member States, such as Philippine and Mongolia, asked for more time to achieve MDGs.

The AusAID delivered technical briefing on malaria in the afternoon. During this side event, experts
and the attendees shared and exchanged their ideas on treating and preventing malaria.

In the afternoon, the Member States coordinated the work of the World Health Assembly (WHA),
the executive board and the regional committee. After quick discussion, the Member States adopted
the WHA reform (WHA(9)); WHA65.4—The global burden of mental disorders and the need for a
comprehensive, coordinated response from health and social sectors at the country level; WHA65.7—
Implementation of the recommendations of the Commission on Information and Accountability
for Women’s and Children’s Health; WHA65.8—Outcome of the World Conference on Social
Determinants of Health; WHA65.19—Substandard/spurious/falsely-labelled/falseified/counterfeit
medical products;WHA65.20—WHO’s response, and roles as the health cluster lead, in meeting the
growing demands of health in humanitarian emergencies; and WHA65.22—Follow up of the report of
the consultative Expert Working Group on Research and Development: Financing and Coordination.

Moreover, this time, the WPRO official and the Member States adopted the resolution on nomination
if the regional director: code of conduct. This would be the novel guideline to make the nomination
of RD be much more fairness and transparency. And also, the Member States also adopted the
resolution on amendments to the rules of procedure of the regional committee. It will allow the
chairperson of WPRO to decide which organizations or observers they would like to invite.

In this afternoon, the AP-RC-elect, Vincent, headed to the medical school in Viet Nam to met their
president of student association to find out their medical students’ association and try to invite them
to join the IFMSA big family to complete the Asia-Pacific region.

On the evening, the IFMSA team of WPRO was invited to the farewell dinner. After four-day work, the
IFMSA team has completed the mission for attending to the WHO Regional Committee of the Western
Pacific.

Andrew and the IFMSA team to the WHO Regional Committee of the Western Pacific.

[Day 2] WHOs Western Pacific Regional Committee, “Good” Nutrition is crucial

Today on the second day of the 63rd session of the WHO Western Pacific Regional Office meeting a variety of matters were discussed. A high level panel presented on the issues facing the Western Pacific Region regarding nutrition. We heard about the problems of over and under-nutrition in the region, in particular the impacts of poor nutrition of children during the first 1000 days of life, and the importance of breast-feeding. Many representatives spoke about the programs being implemented in their home countries, the barriers they were facing, and the gains that they had made. Some initiatives in place included the extension of paid maternity leave, food vouches for women during pregnancy, guidelines for school canteens, and the banning of advertising of junk food and breast milk substitutes.


The evening program involved a cultural night where each delegation did a performance of a traditional piece, popular music, and in some cases magic tricks or dancing feats! Kelly and I joined forces with the Australian delegation who provided a rousing rendition of the nursery rhyme ‘Three Blind Mice’ with lyrics replaced by topic issues discussed throughout the meeting such as NCDs, preventable blindness, and the plain packaging of tobacco products. The night was thoroughly enjoyed by all, and was a fantastic opportunity to experience some of the many cultures in the room.

[Day 1] WHOs Western Pacific Regional Committee

The first day of the Meeting got off to a beautiful start with a fascinating performance of Vietnamese music and dance at the Hanoi Opera House. The IFMSA delegation will be singing “Welcome Vietnam” for a long time. The delegation then was presented with a documentary on the Vietnamese health system and the programming that they have implemented with the help of the WHO to expand universal access to healthcare throughout the country. They have made great strides in providing free healthcare to children under 6, to the elderly and the disadvantaged. The delegates also heard from the Vice President of Viet Nam Nguyen Thai Doan, the Vietnamese Minister of Health, the Regional Director for the Western Pacific Region Dr Shin Young-soo and the outgoing Chairperson. Both the Vice President and the Minister of Health spoke of the famous Vietnamese leader Ho Chi Minh and his belief that a healthy people means a healthy nation, and how Viet Nam has always seen health closely linked with development.

The afternoon session began with the election of the Minster of Health of Viet Nam, Associate Professor Dr Nguyen Thi Kim Tien, as the Chairperson for the meeting, and an address by the outgoing Chairperson from the 62nd session , Dr Adanan Yusof, Minister of Health, Brunei Darussalam. Dr Yusof noted the progress in the region, but implored the delegates to continue their work as the work is far from over. Unfortunately, the Director General, Dr Margaret Chan, is in New York to attend the UN General Assembly and is thus unable to make the WPRM, however a written statement was distributed to all the delegates detailing her commitment to achieving better health outcomes in the region. During the interventions, many congratulations and attention was given to the Australian delegation for the recent passing of the plain packaging laws for Tobacco Control that were upheld by the High Court. Many of the delegates were encouraged by Australia’s ability to fight such a big industry, and are hoping to replicate their work throughout the region. Rachael and I, both from AMSA-Australia were very excited to see the overwhelming support for a public health measure we hope will help to change the future of health outcomes.

After a very exciting first day, the delegates enjoyed a dinner hosted by the Government of Vietnam and were again treated to a beautiful Vietnamese cultural performance. We have been made to feel very welcome in our adopted home for the week and it will be difficult to leave it all behind.

Until tomorrow,

Kelly and the IFMSA team to Western Pacific Regional Committee