Regional Director’s Annual Report 2023 Introductory Speech at the Seventy-seventh Session of the WHO Regional Committee for South-East Asia, New Delhi, India

-    Hon’ble Chair

-    Vice-Chair

-    Director General

-    Excellences

-    Heads of Delegation

-    Delegates

-    Partners, Colleagues and friends

Good morning / afternoon.

I am pleased to present my first report on the work of WHO South-East Asia to you today.

In my inaugural remarks earlier, I spoke of the future we envisage, the plans that we have, and the strategies we will implement. I spoke of tomorrow. 

However, it is now time to speak about yesterday.

We will take stock of the work and achievements of all our Member States, and of WHO, throughout 2023 in our South-East Asia Region.

The achievements across our region are impressive - and numerous. The hard work done by all of you has touched a quarter of all humanity, and left us stronger and healthier than before. 

Of course, the year has not been without challenges also. There is much we can learn from, and we must make sure that these lessons improve our work in the future.

I am pleased to say that the story of 2023 is a story of successful collaborations between our Member States and the WHO. 

I will now take us through the highlights of 2023 for each of our countries.

Bangladesh

• In 2023, Bangladesh made significant strides in reducing its burden of communicable diseases, becoming the first country in the world to eliminate kala-azar as a public health problem.
• Bangladesh also achieved the elimination of lymphatic filariasis, joining an elite group of nations that have successfully eradicated this debilitating disease.
• WHO provided Bangladesh technical assistance in developing key national strategies and guidelines, including the Bangladesh Digital Health Strategy, and the National Antimicrobial Stewardship Guideline for Human Health.
• Beyond this, WHO’s continued leadership in addressing the Rohingya refugee crisis has ensured essential health services for both refugees and host communities in Cox’s Bazar.
• Bangladesh also advanced significantly against noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), particularly in the prevention and management of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and mental health.
• With WHO’s support, the government launched a commitment to provide protocol-based care for at least 3 million people with hypertension and diabetes by 2025.
• The introduction of the HPV vaccine protects millions of women and girls from cervical cancer. Coupled with high routine immunization coverage, Bangladesh’s public health defenses are further strengthened.

Bhutan

• Bhutan achieved a major milestone by eliminating endemic rubella transmission for over 36 months.
• WHO provided training for laboratory personnel, and assisting in the development of strategic plans for neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) and the elimination of  TB.
• WHO also played a key role in strengthening Bhutan’s health system resilience by securing funding for pandemic preparedness, and ensuring the installation of oxygen plants at regional referral hospitals.
• Furthermore, Bhutan’s efforts to combat NCDs continued to gain momentum. WHO’s collaboration with the government led to the development of a comprehensive roadmap for NCD prevention and control, which includes placing at least 50,000 individuals on protocol-based management for hypertension by 2025.

Democratic People’s Republic of Korea

• The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea achieved a significant public health victory by eliminating rubella.
• This was the result of a nationwide ‘catch-up' immunization campaign, together with strengthened vaccine-preventable disease surveillance systems.
• The nationwide disease prevention and control network was restructured, guided by a newly formed National Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.
• WHO also provided critical support by training health professionals and improving the country’s emergency preparedness and response capacity.

• India’s leadership on the global stage, particularly through its G20 presidency, included leadership in public health.
• This was displayed through the country advancing digital health innovations, tackling antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and universal health coverage (UHC), on international platforms.
• India notably became the first country in the world to regulate the depiction of tobacco products in media - a significant step in the fight against tobacco.
• WHO’s partnership with India played a crucial role in advancing these priorities, particularly in the areas of digital health initiatives, the regulation of tobacco products in media, and the prevention and management of tuberculosis (TB).
• WHO also supported the government’s ambitious plan to provide standard care for over 75 million individuals with hypertension and diabetes by 2025, further cementing India’s role as a global leader in NCD prevention.
• India prioritized advancing digital health innovations and solutions for UHC, and supported the launch of the WHO-managed Global Initiative on Digital Health.
• The country also gave 550 million beneficiaries cashless health coverage - the world’s largest publicly-funded health assurance scheme.

Indonesia

• Indonesia’s commitment to UHC was displayed in its efforts to expand access to quality, affordable primary health care (PHC).
• With WHO’s support, Indonesia prioritized the acceleration of SDG Target 3.3, focusing on communicable diseases such as tuberculosis, HIV, and malaria.
• The government’s health transformation agenda, backed by WHO, aimed to strengthen immunization efforts, enhance laboratory capacity, and improve health worker skills.
• Indonesia also demonstrated leadership in addressing risk factors for NCDs, with a particular focus on tobacco control and promoting physical activity.
• WHO’s collaboration with the government and international partners ensured that Indonesia’s health policies and programs were aligned with global health priorities.

Maldives

• Maldives set an example for the region through its innovative public health initiatives, particularly in the area of primary health care (PHC).
• WHO’s partnership with the government led to the successful implementation of the Faafu Atoll Demonstration Site, which transformed PHC delivery in the country.
• Maldives also took proactive measures to address contaminated syrups, ensuring the safety and well-being of its citizens.
• The establishment of the National Cancer Registry and the recognition of the Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital as a National Influenza Centre strengthened the public health infrastructure.
• Maldives’ five consecutive years of zero child leprosy case detection highlights the country’s dedication to eliminating NTDs, and improving health outcomes for all.

Myanmar

• In Myanmar, despite the continuing political and humanitarian challenges, WHO’s collaboration with government and health sector partners ensured the continued provision of essential health services to vulnerable populations.
• Myanmar’s health emergency response reached over 769,000 individuals in conflict-affected areas, and providing life-saving services to internally displaced persons and those in remote regions.
• WHO’s support for Myanmar’s routine immunization programs, and laboratory-based vaccine-preventable disease surveillance, strengthened the country’s health system.
• It also reduced the immunity gap and improved access to essential medicines and supplies.
• Myanmar also made progress in addressing NCDs and mental health, with protocol-based services reaching an additional 130,000 people.
• WHO’s technical assistance played a critical role in improving Myanmar’s care of mental health and neurological conditions.
• This included integrating mental health promotion in schools; continued support for the Myanmar Epilepsy Initiative; and, adding suicide risk screening and basic psychosocial support to the basic health staff mental health manual

Nepal

• Nepal’s efforts to strengthen its health system resilience were supported by WHO’s technical and operational guidance
• This enabled the country to achieve high COVID-19 vaccination coverage and make significant progress in immunization
• The endorsement of key national health strategies further demonstrated Nepal’s commitment to achieving universal health coverage (UHC) and improving health outcomes
• These included the Nepal Health Sector Strategic Plan, the Health National Adaptation Plan, the National Health Financing Strategies, and the and National Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Policy
• WHO’s collaboration with Nepal also led to the development of the Polio Transition Plan and the Polio Outbreak Preparedness and Response Plan - which strengthened the country’s polio surveillance and prevention efforts
• Nepal’s timely response to the Jajarkot earthquake, supported by WHO, highlighted the country’s ability to effectively manage health emergencies and provide critical services to affected populations

Sri Lanka

• Sri Lanka established the Centre for Health Systems Policy and Innovation, to drive evidence-based decision-making and improve workforce capacity
• WHO’s collaborated with Sri Lanka in strengthening the AMR program, and developing the AMR National Strategic Plan 2023–2028
• WHO also supported Sri Lanka’s efforts to reduce hepatitis B prevalence, and improve maternal and child health through the implementation of nationwide surveys and strategic health plans
• The development of the Country Cooperation Strategy 2024–2030, in partnership with key stakeholders, will guide Sri Lanka’s public health initiatives for the coming years

Thailand

• Thailand’s successful elimination of transfat from its food system earned global recognition as one of the first five countries to receive WHO validation for this achievement
• Thailand’s commitment to improving road safety was demonstrated by the release of the 5th National Road Safety Master Plan
• This set ambitious targets to reduce road traffic fatalities, in-line with the SDGs
• WHO’s partnership with Thailand helped develop the ‘National Action Plan for Health Security’ and the second intersectoral ‘National Action Plan for Antimicrobial Resistance’
• These strengthened the country’s ability to respond to health emergencies and reduce the risk of AMR

Timor-Leste

• A key accomplishment of Timor-Leste was the full restoration of routine immunization services, which had been disrupted due to the COVID-19 pandemic
• This effort resulted in the elimination of rubella, marking a major victory in the country’s fight against vaccine-preventable diseases
• Timor-Leste also improved tobacco control by introducing a five-fold increase in tobacco taxation, aiming to reduce smoking and therefore improve overall public health
• These achievements were part of Timor-Leste’s broader efforts to strengthen its health system, with a focus on PHC and disease prevention.
• By implementing these measures, Timor-Leste not only improved population health but also contributed to the resilience of its health care system, ensuring better preparedness for future public health challenges

For each of our countries, there are many more success stories to tell.

The 2023 Report of the Regional Director contains the complete details of everything that I have highlighted, and all that I haven’t had the time to tell you about today.

Apart from the excellent work done by our Member States, I would also like to highlight the inter-country and inter-regional platforms and initiatives that are doing commendable work.

Regional PHC Forum

• The Regional PHC Forum, in its second year of operation, is a key knowledge management and collaboration platform.
• A central focus for the Forum is to capture operational learning on approaches to strengthen integration, enhance financing and improve and monitor quality primary health care

Asia-Pacific Network on Access to Medicines under UHC

• The ‘Asia-Pacific Network on Access to Medicines under UHC’ aims to improve the availability, affordability and quality of essential medicines and health products
• This is critical for achieving UHC and the health-related goals of the SDGs
• The 7^th meeting of the Network was in May 2023, in New Delhi
• It was co-organized by our South-East Asia Regional Office, with the Regional Office for the Western Pacific, and the OECD (the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development)

Traditional Medicine Global Summit

• 2023 witnessed the inaugural Traditional Medicine Global Summit, in Gujarat, here in India
• Co-hosted by WHO and the Government of India, the Summit generated “The Gujarat Declaration”, which is now a guiding document for the progress of traditional medicine in the Region to advance health for all

I am extremely pleased at these examples of collaboration, between countries, and between regions. Cooperation will always ease the path on our journey to improve the health of all.

As we can see, the achievements of 2023 by our Member States, and by our colleagues in country offices and the regional office, are impressive.

This is the foundation that was left for us by my predecessor, Dr. Poonam Khetrepal Singh - and I thank her for her untiring service to our region.

I thank you all for all you have done, and look forward to continuing - and enhancing - the excellence together.