While addressing the 61st session of the World Health Organisation Regional Committee for Europe, the Hon. Joe Cassar, Minister for Health, the Elderly and Community Care invited all ministers and delegations for the 2012 committee which will be hosted by Malta.

During his address, the Minister congratulated the Regional Director for her work on the WHO Health 2020 Strategy document which will be approved at the 2012 meeting. The Minister also addressed the issue of health inequalities and Malta’s role in addressing these issues at a national and international level. Dr Cassar also referred to the social impact that is created by migration, and outlined the measures taken to address the impact these are having on health services and society in general. The Minister appealed for solidarity and mutual support of member states in addressing these issues.

Dr Margaret Chan, WHO Director General, in her address to the Committee thanked the Government of Malta for its invaluable contribution to the provision of humanitarian aid to the Libyan people. Dr Chan also thanked the Minister personally for his role in the provision of medical support.

The Minister participated in a Ministerial Round Table discussing the European experience in addressing the social determinants of health. Among the panelists were the Ministers of Health of Greece, Turkey and Bosnia, the UK Chief Medical Officer and the Directors General of Denmark and Belgium. All members of the panel spoke about different perspectives of inequalities as they relate to their respective countries.

Minister Cassar is heading the Maltese delegation attending the 61st Regional Committee of the World Health Organisation being held in Baku, Azerbaijan. The meeting will come to an end on Thursday 15th September.

The 62nd World Health Organisation Regional Committee meeting will be held in Malta in September 2012.

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