- Officials and dignitaries from our Member States
- Directors of the WHO Collaborative Centres
- Colleagues and friends
Good morning, and welcome to this Regional Virtual Consultative Workshop in preparation of the WHO Global Oral Health Meeting.
As we know, oral diseases and conditions are highly prevalent and are among the most common NCDs in the South-East Asia.
In 2019, the cases of untreated dental caries, severe periodontal diseases and edentulism in the region were estimated to be more than 900 million. Our South-East Asia Region has the highest oral cancer incidence and mortality rates among all WHO regions. The disease burden shows strong inequalities, with higher prevalence and severity in poor and disadvantaged populations.
Our region is guided by the Action plan for oral health in South-East Asia 2022–2030. This responds directly to Member State needs, accounting for specific oral diseases and conditions. I am pleased that our countries have effectively adapted the guidance in formulating national policies and plans and have implemented the Action plan according to their national priorities and context.
The WHO has two key technical support areas. The first is the model essential oral health service package to address national priority oral health needs. The second is the series of four online courses on oral health offered on Open WHO, to support building capacity of professionals on essential services. It should be noted this is for both non-oral health and oral health professionals.
Globally, the Department of Noncommunicable Diseases, at our WHO headquarters, guides countries on combatting oral diseases and conditions, through the Global Oral Health Action Plan 2023-2030. The planned WHO Global Oral Health Meeting is to reaffirm Member States' commitments to its implementation. We are grateful to Government of Thailand for hosting this meeting, scheduled in November 2024, in Bangkok.
I am pleased to support the national oral health leads, and the national UHC leads, from the Ministries of Health of our Member States to attend this Global Meeting. The meeting will allow the delegates to discuss their national progress thus far. It will also allow them to design national oral health roadmaps, with identified priority actions, to reach the expected outcomes of the Action plan.
I would like to thank all of you for taking the time to participate in this workshop. This is to provide you with necessary information and preparatory work which will enhance your effective participation at the Global Meeting.
I wish you all a very productive consultation.
Thank you.