Spain returns to form part of the governance body of the World Health Organization (WHO) after almost 20 years of absence, after approving last October the incorporation of the Minister of Health, Mónica Garcíaas representative of Europe on the WHO Executive Committee.
The appointment of García, who presented his candidacy in Mayoccurred on October 30, although, “out of respect for the situation” that was being experienced in the areas affected by DANA, the Ministry of Health preferred not to make it public, as stated in a press release published this Thursday.
“With our presence we want to promote at a global level what we are already working on at the ministry: primary care as the heart of health systemstake care of professionals, point out the importance of climate change for health, promote gender equity in health and work against childhood obesity through sport, healthy eating and the social determinants of health,” said the minister. on his Twitter account.
“It is an honor to be elected to the WHO Executive Committee, representing Europe. Spain had not had representation since 2005 and now we once again have a relevant role in global health policies,” he stressed.
The WHO Executive Board is made up of 34 members technically qualified in the field of health. Its members are elected for a three-year term.. The Council holds two annual meetings. The first, larger one, takes place in January. It defines the agenda of the Health Assembly and votes on resolutions that will subsequently be presented to said Assembly.
The second meeting, shorter and of an administrative nature, is held in May. The main function of the Executive Council is to implement the decisions and policies established by the Health Assembly, in addition to serving as an advisory body and facilitating its work.