The 75th session of the World Health Assembly took place on Monday in Geneva, Switzerland after a lapse of two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Health Minister Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete was present during a side event on ‘Strengthening surgical systems through upscaling surgical care’ and said there was a need to support surgical system strengthening.
“It needs a boost and needs to be accelerated,” Dr Waqainabete said.
“Unless we do that, there will still be social injustice because surgery is at the heart of global healthcare delivery and we need to hold ourselves accountable.
“The case for global surgery has been made, now we just need to do it.”
Dr Waqainabete is being supported by Dr Jemesa Tudravu, chief medical advisor and the staff of the permanent mission of the republic of Fiji to the United Nations and other international organisations in Geneva.
The Assembly will conclude on Saturday, May 28, 2022.
