Meeting with WHO Regional Director
Empowering Youth Voices: Highlights from the Asia-Pacific at the 75th WHO Regional Committee for the Western Pacific
Written by Seojin Yun, External Affairs Regional Assistant for Asia-Pacific
IFMSA Delegation to WHO RC 75 Western Pacific
The World Health Organization (WHO) Western Pacific Regional Office (WPRO) plays a vital role in advancing health and well-being across 37 countries in the Asia-Pacific region. By collaborating with governments, civil society, academia, and other stakeholders, WPRO addresses key health challenges to improve the quality of life for all in the region.
IFMSA has been a committed partner to WHO WPRO, emphasizing youth engagement in global health discussions. This collaboration aims to ensure that health is a priority in all public policies, aligning with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the WHO’s strategic objectives.
During the 75th WHO RC, held in Manila, Philippines, from October 21st to 25th, 2024, the IFMSA delegation actively participated in debates on policy issues, programmatic agendas, and administrative matters. The delegates representing the Asia-Pacific region were:
- Regional Director for Asia-Pacific Sharif Mohammed Sadat
- Tsz Chun Lam | FMS-Taiwan
- Isabela Marie Bautista dela Cruz | AMSA Philippines
- Sein Yun | KMSA Korea
- Muhammad Zulkarnain bin Abd Rahim | SMMAMS Malaysia
- Han Hong-Bao Trinh | NOHS Vietnam
Key IFMSA Asia-Pacific Achievements
IFMSA Regional Director Sharif Mohammed Sadat delivering a statement on Digital Health
External Partnerships and Networking
The Asia-Pacific region made significant strides in strengthening external relations during WHO RC 75, focusing on creating new collaborations and revitalizing existing partnerships. Meetings were held with key organizations, such as:
- International Solid Waste Association (ISWA)
- Health4LifeFund
- WONCA Asia-Pacific Regional Council
- Alliance for Improving Health Outcomes (AIHO)
- International Association of Communication Sciences and Disorders (IALP)
These meetings reinforced our existing ties and opened avenues for new projects, allowing IFMSA members to participate in initiatives that transcend clinical training empowering young leaders to address pressing public health challenges.
Engagement and Knowledge Exchange
Exchanging Ideas with the Regional Director, RD Office, WHO WPRO
75th Session of WHO RC Western Pacific
The Regional Committee provided a valuable platform for medical students to engage with influential stakeholders, including policymakers, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and health experts. During the event, the IFMSA delegation emphasized the federation’s commitment to youth action and leadership in global health.
These engagements enhanced the visibility of IFMSA’s efforts and expanded opportunities for collaboration on impactful regional projects.
Meeting with WHO Regional Director
The delegation managed to secure a 30-minute meeting with Dr. Saia Ma’u Piukala, the WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific, at his office during the RCM. The discussion centered on expanding youth engagement in regional health initiatives. Dr. Piukala expressed strong support for increasing youth involvement in WHO activities and acknowledged the critical role of youth in driving public health progress. This meeting set the stage for potential collaborative projects to empower young leaders in the region.
WHO Representatives
The Regional Director initiated strategic discussions with representatives from Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam, and Singapore. These conversations aimed for closer partnerships between Asia-Pacific NMOs and WHO Country Offices, focusing on collaborative projects to enhance youth engagement in regional health programs.
The Role of Medical Students in Our Region
Medical students across the Asia-Pacific are not just future health professionals but active agents of change in their communities. The platform provided by WHO RC 75 highlighted that the voices of young advocates are essential in shaping policies for resilient health systems.
By actively participating in discussions, our delegates showcased that IFMSA members are dedicated to more than academics. They are passionate about addressing health inequities and driving positive change to ensure access to health care for all.
The Statements: Taking Stances in Our Region
During the event, the IFMSA delegation presented one oral statement and six written statements on key regional health issues, including 2 Joint Statements written in cohorts with the International Pharmaceutical Students Federation (IPSF). These statements, aligned with our policy documents, were developed in collaboration with our Liaison Officers and the guidance of IFMSA’s Vice President for External Affairs. The topics covered were:
- Digital Health
- Health Financing
- Noncommunicable diseases and aging
- Climate Change, the environment and health
- Reaching the unreached
- Health Security, including antimicrobial resistance, One Health, and the work towards a global accord on pandemic prevention, security, and response
- Advancing the For the Future vision
These statements were delivered at the public forum, demonstrating IFMSA’s commitment to advocating for health equity, sustainability, and youth engagement in global health governance.
For more details on the statements delivered by IFMSA, click here.
