20-25 OCTOBER 2024, MANILA, PHILIPPINES
The 75th Session of WHO Regional Committee Meeting for the Western Pacific Region has been successfully concluded on Friday, 25th October 2024. This imperative meeting was attended by all Ministers of Health of the Western Pacific Region 20th till 25th October 2024, and Minister of Health, Hon. Valasi Luapitofanua Tafito Selesele and his delegation represented Samoa.
The Hon. Minister of Health-Samoa was the chairman of the 75th RCM side meeting specifically for Pacific Health Ministers, which was held on Sunday, 20th October 2024, to discuss and identify health issues that need to be taken as agenda items for the upcoming 16th Pacific Health Ministers Meeting, which is scheduled to be held in Samoa on the first week of September 2025.
Official Launching of WHO Multi-Country Cooperation Strategy (MCCS) 2024-2029
During the Pacific Health Ministers side meeting, Hon. Valasi Luapitofanua Tafito Selesele as the Chairman with the Regional Director of the Western Pacific Region, Dr. Saia Ma’u Piukala, and all Pacific Health Ministers, officially launched the first ever WHO Multi-Country Cooperation Strategy 2024-2029 for Pacific Islands, including Samoa.
This new six-year strategy focuses on access to healthcare for all, tackling the burden of non-communicable diseases such as obesity, and strengthening resilience to health threats. This marks an exciting step in the long-standing partnership between WHO, the Pacific Island Countries and partners.
Awarding of Samoa’s Pandemic Fund Project Proposal
On the third day (Wednesday, 23rd October 2024) of the 75th Session of WHO Regional Committee Meeting during the Pandemic Fund side event, Samoa was officially announced as one of the three countries from the Western Pacific Region (Fiji, Philippines & Samoa) that had been awarded to get funds from the Pandemic Fund Project to support the implementation of their pandemic related programs and activities. There were about 146 countries that had submitted their proposals for fund; only 23 proposals were considered by the Pandemic Fund Governance Board, including Samoa. Hon. Valasi Luapitofanua To’ogamaga Tafito Selesele spoke on behalf of Samoa government to acknowledge this assistance, and he stated that Samoa is looking forward to utilizethis great assistance in accordance to its purpose. He also acknowledged with sincere gratitude the hard work by those who put together the proposal for Samoa.
