70th World Health Assembly begins today in Geneva

The 70th World Health Assembly (WHA) will begin today in Geneva, Switzerland.

The WHA will be held in the Palais des Nations, located near the Place des Nations and Avenue de la Paix.

Meanwhile, the Ebola outbreak in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the Cerebro Spinal Meningitis (CSM) epidemic in Nigeria, prevention and control of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), and election of a new President of the World Health Organisation (WHO) are expected to top the agenda of the Assembly.

The WHO Executive Board had on January 25, 2017, announced Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Dr. David Nabarro and Dr. Sania Nishtar as nominees for the post of WHO Director-General.

The three candidates would be presented to the WHA.

One of them is expected to take over from Dr. Margaret Chan today after the election.

However, Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, is expected to lead delegation to the meeting to help Nigeria address her pressing health needs, including insufficient vaccination for the epidemic of CSM Type C in 23 states. of the country.