PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has welcomed the election of Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa as president of the World Health Assembly (WHA).
The President said this is a recognition of the Philippines’ contributions to the promotion of world health and the efforts of the Filipino healthcare workers during the coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the President also views the election of Herbosa as an opportunity to showcase that the Philippines’ health policies are aligned with global solutions.
Castro said Herbosa is the first Filipino to be elected as WHA president. This took place during the 78th WHA in Switzerland from May 19 to 27.
The WHA is the highest decision-making body of the World Health Organization that tackles key health priorities, including pandemic preparedness and response.
During the assembly, the WHA also passed the Pandemic Agreement which ensures equitable access to life-saving pandemic-related products and establishes mechanisms for global prevention, preparedness, and response to future health emergencies.
