The highest decision-making body of the World Health Organization (WHO) convened in Geneva, Switzerland for its 72nd session. Turkey was represented, at the Assembly, by a delegation headed by Health Minister Dr. Fahrettin Koca. Dr. Koca delivered a speech at the General Assembly on the first day of the meeting.
Such global health issues as communicable diseases, non-communicable diseases, universal health coverage, access to vaccines and medicines, immigrant health policies and eradication of polio were the main topics of discussion at the Assembly.
Turkey co-sponsored the following side events on the margin of the Assembly: “Health Services Quality and Patient Safety in Emergencies”, “Universal Health Coverage and Migration”, “Traditional and Complementary Medicine” and “Role of Primary Healthcare Services in Universal Health Coverage”. Country experiences were shared through the speeches and presentations during the side events. Furthermore, H.E. Emine Erdoğan attended, as the honored guest and speaker, the special event organized by the Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (PMNCH).
Many bilateral meetings were held to receive support of the member countries for Dr. Nedret Emiroğlu, nominated by Turkey for the election of WHO Regional Director for Europe, also there was organized a reception, for this purpose, hosted by Health Minister Dr. Fahrettin Koca.
Dr. Koca also had bilateral meetings with Azerbaijan, Cuba, Iran, Iraq, Portugal and Czech Republic to improve relations.