13 May 2024

The Minister of Health, Dr Edwin Dikoloti will assume the presidency of the 77th World Health Assembly, effective May 27. Dr Dikoloti will be at the helm of the assembly for a year.

The 77th World Health Assembly will be held in Geneva, Switzerland from May 27 to June 1.

A press release from the Ministry of Health says Dr Dikoloti’s election as the president of the 77th World Health Assembly is in line with the rules of procedure of the World Health Organization (WHO).

Dr Dikoloti is the current Chairperson of the WHO Regional Committee of Africa.

“It will be recalled that the WHO Regional Committee meeting for Africa was hosted successfully in Gaborone in August 2023,” says the press release.

It says Dr Dikoloti’s assumption of the presidency of the highly influential body will be a first for Botswana in recent years.

The last Minister of Health from Botswana to occupy the position was the late Bahiti Temane, in 1994.

Dr Dikoloti’s assumption of the position therefore, will definitely fly the Botswana flag high and amplify the country’s voice and influence on health issues,the press release says.

 As the president of the assembly, Minister Dikoloti will chair and preside over the programme agenda of the 77th World Health Assembly.

Some of the priority agenda items that are expected to be endorsed by the assembly include the 14th WHO General Programme of Work, which sets strategies and priorities for the next five years, for global health.

Furthermore, the assembly will be historic as member states are expected to adopt the WHO Pandemic Treaty, and Revisions to the International Health Regulations.

The two international instruments have been under negotiation by member states, including Botswana, for the past two years.

The statement points out that drawing from lessons learnt from past experiences including the COVID-19 pandemic, the instruments are aimed at setting the necessary rules and policies for prevention, preparedness and response to global health emergencies.

The World Health Assembly, which comprises 194 member countries, is the supreme decision making body of the WHO.

The assembly, which is attended by ministers of health from the member states, takes crucial decisions about the policies, strategies, budget and appointment of the Director General of the WHO, amongst others. Ends