Dear Colleagues, good morning, and a very warm welcome to you all.
As you know, today, this year’s theme for World Health Day unites us under the banner of "My health, my right.”
This year’s theme was chosen to champion the right of everyone, everywhere to have access to quality health services, education, and information.
It tells us of the right to safe drinking water, clean air, and good nutrition.
It reminds us that quality housing, decent working and environmental conditions, and freedom from discrimination should be enjoyed by everyone.
Put simply, this is a reminder to us all of the fundamental principle that every individual, regardless of circumstance, deserves the highest standard of mental and physical well-being.
Realizing this right to health demands comprehensive action. We have to guarantee that both health services, and the underlying determinants of health, are available, accessible, acceptable, and of adequate quality.
All of you in this room have worked extremely hard, and it is because of you that our Region has much to be proud of.
We have improved in various health indicators, including the UHC service coverage index, and a significant increase in the number of health professionals.
We have substantial declines in maternal, under-five, and neonatal mortality from 2000 to 2020.
Immunization rates for various diseases have improved steadily, and many countries are on track to meet global immunization coverage targets.
New HIV and malaria infection rates have fallen, and our Region's ability to handle health emergencies has improved.
Nonetheless, as we all know, challenges remain.
Nearly 40% of our Region's population still lacks coverage of essential health services.
Unacceptably low investment in health overall results in high out-of-pocket expenditures and financial hardship for many households.
Worryingly, poor quality of care leads to more deaths than lack of health care access.
Vulnerable groups and those with stigmatized conditions often receive the lowest quality care, and face barriers to accessing healthcare.
Diseases like tuberculosis (TB) still pose challenges, with cases and deaths even increasing slightly.
And while the probability of death from major noncommunicable diseases has decreased by 13% since 2000, it is still unacceptably high at 21.6%.
Gender inequality hampers equitable access to diagnosis and treatment, perpetuating disparities.
It is up to us - the people in this room - to change these realities.
As duty-bearers, we - along with our partners in government - have an obligation to ensure their progressive realization of the right to health and other human rights.
We will continue asking governments to increase investment in health and strengthen health systems to advance UHC grounded in PHC.
We will continue asking them to implement policies that address the underlying determinants of health.
Today, on World Health Day, I would like you to look around this room at your different colleagues. I hope you realize that together you have made South-East Asia better for millions.
I know you will continue to work hard, and I hope you will continue to inspire and improve our Region with science, solutions, and solidarity.
I thank you.