GENEVA: The World Health Organization’s (WHO) Executive Board approved a proposal presented by the Sultanate of Oman and Switzerland on the health for peace initiative, as part of the 150th session of the WHO Executive Board which concluded in Geneva, Switzerland, on Saturday.
The initiative received great support from the member states.
The health for peace initiative seeks to enhance and activate links between health, social cohesion and peace by focusing on the unique role that can be played by the public
health programmes in bringing together different groups and building trust in all components of peace.
The initiative supports principles related to the success of health programmes and the pursuit to realise the benefits of peace through equity, inclusion, participation and leadership.
The Sultanate of Oman was represented by Dr Ahmed bin Mohammed al Saeedi, Minister of Health.
On its closing day, the session discussed several topics including global health sector strategies on HIV, viral hepatitis and sexually transmitted diseases and reviewed ways of strengthening WHO’s efficiency in providing countries with better support.
Dr Ahmed bin Mohammed al Saeedi said that the health for peace initiative is in line with the policies of the Sultanate of Oman which strives for the good and in the interests of the whole mankind, noting that preparations for this initiative began in 2019 at sideline meetings with Switzerland.
The minister of health stressed the importance of health as a bridge to peace as the initiative was approved by all member states of the WHO Executive Board who voiced their commendation for this initiative and its objectives. He noted that this initiative is a new addition to the Sultanate of Oman’s record of positive initiatives. — ONA
