[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.

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