site.btaHealth Minister Ananiev Heads Delegation to 71st World Health Assembly in Geneva

Sofia/Geneva, May 21 (BTA) - Health Minister Kiril Ananiev is paying a three-day visit to Geneva as head of the Bulgarian delegation to the 71st World Health Assembly, which is taking place in the Swiss city between May 21 and 26, Ananiev's Ministry said in a press release on Monday. This year the event is based on the theme "Health for All: Commit to Universal Health Coverage".

Addressing the 71st World Health Assembly on behalf of the Bulgarian Presidency of the EU Council, Ananiev said that guaranteeing fair access to quality healthcare services and medicinal products, as well as promoting well-being for all at all ages, should be the main tasks in the common efforts to provide universal health coverage.

The Bulgarian Health Minister described as important steps in this direction the need of strategic and sustainable cooperation on all levels, as well as purposeful efforts to reach the most vulnerable groups. That is why the World Health Organization (WHO) should be prepared to assist its Member States in their efforts to broaden the access to healthcare service and to coordinate the efforts of all partners to build sustainable healthcare systems, he added.

The EU and its Member States acknowledge what has been achieved thanks to the WHO's efforts thus far, but there still are areas in which progress is lacking, Ananiev noted. The EU Member States support the WHO Director-General's efforts directed at continuing the implementation of the urgent reform of the WHO, as well as the 13th General Programme of Work aimed at ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages.

Ananiev thanked the WHO Secretariat for its report containing a five-year Global Strategic Plan to Improve Public Health Preparedness and Response, and said that the EU Member States support the targets, tasks and monitoring suggested in the report.