Dr Liu Yunguo, the World Health Organization Representative (WHO) to the South Pacific, Director of Pacific Technical Support had his first meeting with the Minister for Health Dr Neil Sharma on 4 April, 2014.
This meeting was held after Dr Liu presented his credentials to the Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Mr Amena Yauvoli, on 20 March 2014.
The Minister for Health Dr Neil Sharma acknowledged Dr Liu’s wealth knowledge in public health and rich experience within WHO and looked forward to further collaboration with WHO.
Dr Sharma and Dr Liu Yunguo discussed a range of health issues and areas of collaboration, including universal health coverage and reducing NCD burden, healthy ageing, the health impacts of climate change such as increased burden of vectorborne, waterborne and foodborne diseases, maternal and child health, traditional medicine, food safety and nutrition, and capacity building for health workforce and policy development.
Dr Sharma appreciated WHO’s financial and technical support to the Ministry of Health in delivering the best possible health care services to the population.
Dr Liu reaffirmed that WHO is committed to work with the Ministry of Health and other health partners to reach health-related Millennium Development Goals and Healthy Island targets in Fiji and the Pacific.