Qatar Chairs Special Session on Emergencies in the Eastern Mediterranean Region

Doha: The State of Qatar, represented by HE Dr Hanan Mohamed Al Kuwari, Minister of Public Health and Chairperson of the 71st Session of the Regional Committee of the World Health Organization (WHO) for the Eastern Mediterranean, presided over a special session focused on the latest developments concerning emergencies in the region. During the session today, members of the Regional Committee reviewed critical developments regarding the health and humanitarian situation in the occupied Palestinian territories, including Jerusalem, the ongoing emergencies across the region, and the latest developments from the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body (INB). Speaking on behalf of the State of Qatar during the meeting, Dr Salih Ali Al Marri, Assistant Minister for Health Affairs, stressed the critical need to protect medical personnel and healthcare systems in countries devastated by disasters and conflicts, including the occupied Palestinian territories, Lebanon, Sudan, and Yemen. He underscored that healthcare work ers form the first line of defence in responding to humanitarian crises, playing a fundamental role in saving lives and alleviating the suffering of communities, despite operating under extremely dangerous conditions, facing direct threats, and dealing with severe shortages of resources. Dr Salih Al Marri stated, "In the occupied Palestinian territories, hospitals and medical clinics face immense challenges due to the blockade and repeated attacks. The doctors and nurses there are exposed to serious risks and are struggling to provide healthcare amid severe shortages of medicines and equipment, alongside the constant threat to their lives." Dr Al Marri highlighted, "The situation in Sudan and Yemen is similarly dire. Healthcare infrastructure has been destroyed, and access to medical care has become a matter of life or death. We also cannot overlook the situation in Lebanon, where medical personnel face threats and are prevented from carrying out their vital work amidst ongoing aggression." Dr Al Marri empha sised that "The State of Qatar firmly believes in the importance of supporting medical personnel in these afflicted countries. Qatar has provided significant humanitarian and financial aid to support the health sector in many affected countries. This includes constructing and equipping hospitals, supplying medicines and medical equipment, and providing urgent aid during crises. In Gaza, for instance, the State of Qatar has contributed to improving healthcare infrastructure and ensuring the continuity of essential health services for the civilian population, which were unfortunately destroyed last year by the Israeli occupation forces." Dr Al Marri called on the international community, saying, "We in Qatar call on the international community to seek an immediate cessation of the war in the occupied Palestinian territories and Lebanon, and to commit to providing legal and physical protection for healthcare workers, while ensuring and respecting international laws that prohibit the targeting of medical faciliti es and health sector personnel." Dr Al Marri stressed the importance of joint efforts to strengthen healthcare systems in conflict-affected countries, stating that a strong healthcare system is the foundation for any effective crisis response. Adding, "We emphasise that the protection of medical personnel is not an individual responsibility, but the collective duty of the entire international community. The State of Qatar will remain committed to supporting these noble humanitarian efforts." Representatives from Member States of the region and other stakeholders participated in negotiations aimed at reaching an agreement to ensure that the final document of the 71st Session of the WHO Regional Committee addresses the specific vulnerabilities of the Eastern Mediterranean region. The Members of the Committee reviewed the importance of ensuring unhindered access to medical products during pandemics, the need for mandatory technology transfer, and the establishment of a new pooled funding mechanism for pandemic preparedness and response. Participants were also briefed on the latest developments from the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body (INB). The INB was established by the WHO in December 2021 and is tasked with negotiating and drafting an international treaty or other legal instruments to strengthen pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response efforts. The INBs mandate is firmly grounded in the principles of inclusivity, transparency, efficiency, Member State leadership, and consensus. It is important to highlight that complex conflicts and emergencies affect 12 out of the 22 countries in the Eastern Mediterranean region. These conflicts, along with economic sanctions, further complicate efforts to respond to disease outbreaks and pandemics. The State of Qatar is hosting the meetings of the 71st Session of the Regional Committee, which is being held under the theme "Health Beyond Borders: Action, Access, Equity in the Eastern Mediterranean Region." The meetings will continue until 17 October. Source: Qata r News Agency