The 69th session of the World Health Organization South-East Asia Region (WHO-SEARO) regional Committee was held from the 5^th-9^th of September 2016 in Colombo.  Established in 1948, it is the first of WHO’s six regional outfits. Home to a quarter of the world population, WHO SEARO provides leadership on health matters and relevant policy options and technical support. For over five decades, the collaborative efforts of WHO and SEARO, has focused on improving the health of the people in the Region.

The eleven Member Countries are Bangladesh, Bhutan, Democratic Peoples' Republic of Korea, India, Indonesia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Timor-Leste.

Every year, the world Health Assembly adopts 15- 20 resolutions on various issues related to health, many of which are relevant to the South East Asia Region, especially Sri Lanka. The regional committee adopts its own resolutions on topics that have a great and specific relevance to the region, keeping in view the current health situation of the region.

At this meeting, Regional Director Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh felicitated Member countries for their remarkable public health achievements. In 2015, Maldives eliminated malaria and India eliminated maternal and neonatal tetanus. In 2016, Indonesia eliminated maternal and neonatal tetanus, Thailand eliminated mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis, India eliminated yaws, Maldives and Sri Lanka eliminated lymphatic filariasis, and Sri Lanka eliminated malaria. All countries received recognition for making SEAR the second WHO region to achieve elimination of maternal and neonatal tetanus in all Member countries.

FPA Sri Lanka was invited to participate at this event and was represented by the Executive Director Ms Thushara Agus.

Source - http://www.health.gov.lk/en/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=622:69th-session-of-the-who-regional-committee-for-south-east-asia-&catid=1:latest-news

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