Addis Ababa, 30 April 2013 -- A World Health Organization (WHO) delegation led by the Regional Director for Africa, Dr Luis Gomes Sambo, concluded its week-long official mission to Ethiopia with the visit to His Excellency Hailemariam Desalegn, the Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and Chairman of the African Union today, 30 April 2013.

Dr Luis Sambo discussed with the Prime Minister the health situation and the main challenges in Africa and appreciated the commitment and leadership of the Prime Minister in supporting the health sector reform in Ethiopia.  Dr Sambo made a special appeal to the Ethiopian Prime Minister, in his capacity as AU Chair, to ensure that health is given higher priority in Africa’s development agenda, in particular the emerging burden of Non-Communicable Diseases and the related risk factors such as tobacco use, harmful use of alcohol and unhealthy diet.

During the audience, the Regional Director shared the outcomes of WHO’s mission which included discussions with the African Union Commission, the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa and the Federal Ministry of Health as well as visits to the Health Extension Program sites, and participation in the launch of the WHO’s new Strategy of Cooperation with Ethiopia. 

The WHO delegation that was composed of the Assistant Director-General of Family, Women and Children’s Health, Dr. Flavia Bustreo, the WHO Representative of Ethiopia and other high officials from the Headquarters and the WHO Regional Offices for Africa and Eastern Mediterranean, held discussions with the African Union Commission delegation led by His Excellency, Dr Mustapha Sidiki Kaloko, Commissioner for Social Affairs. The discussions which culminated with an excellent outcome defined priorities and modalities of implementation of the new Agreement between the World Health Organization and the African Union Commission signed last year. 

The WHO delegation also participated in the AU 6th Conference of African Ministers of Health which deliberated on “The impact of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) and Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) on Development in Africa.”

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