02/12/11 President of Uzbekistan receives WHO Director-General

Дата публикации: Feb 09, 2012 1:36:23 PM

PRESIDENT OF UZBEKISTAN RECEIVES WHO DIRECTOR-GENERAL

President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov received the Director-General of the World Health Organization Margaret Chan in Oqsaroy residence on 26 November.

Welcoming the guest, the head of the state said that her visit to the country was a testament to the tremendous interest shown by the international community, especially the WHO, to changes in the healthcare system of Uzbekistan.

Uzbekistan attaches great importance to development of relations with the World Health Organization. The jointly determined strategic directions of cooperation between Uzbekistan and the WHO are reflected in the two-year agreements. The corresponding document for the period of 2012-2013 was signed this September.

In May, the Republic of Uzbekistan was elected to the Executive Committee of the WHO for the period from 2011 to 2014.

During the past 10 years, Uzbekistan implemented 70 projects together with the WHO. In particular, the WHO is supporting the project of integrated management of childhood illnesses and improvement of the drinking water supply, as well as strengthening primary healthcare in the Aral Sea area.

The WHO country office in Uzbekistan is involved in implementing the International Health Regulations, supporting the state’s efforts in increasing the public awareness about health issues. With WHO support, the country has completely eliminated a number of infectious diseases, particularly, the poliomyelitis.

With participation of the WHO, the ADB, the EU and the UNICEF, in all regions of Uzbekistan training centers have been organized, where 25,000 medical personnel were trained in the sphere of protection of motherhood and childhood. Also, with the WHO assistance, about 100 health professionals from Uzbekistan attend courses and exchange experience with colleagues in foreign countries every year.

At a meeting in Oqsaroy, the sides noted that holding in Tashkent of a large international symposium on the national model of maternal and child healthcare, and participation of the renowned medical experts, representatives of international organizations, heads of health ministries from tens of countries prove the recognition in the world of the major achievements of Uzbekistan in reforming the healthcare system.

Margaret Chan expressed her sincere gratitude for the high award – the Soglom Avlod Uchun (For the Healthy Generation) order issues to her and a warm welcome. She noted that the WHO since 1991 has seen a high level of political responsibility in Uzbekistan in the area of protection of motherhood and childhood. The “Healthy mother – healthy child” program carried out in Uzbekistan covers all essential elements of good care for mothers and children, including primary healthcare and hospital care, regular routine inspections and emergency medical care, disease prevention through immunization and early diagnosis through screening.

During the meeting, the sides exchanged views on the status and prospects of future cooperation between Uzbekistan and the WHO, UzA informs.