MEETING WITH WHO REGIONAL DIRECTOR DR. SHING YOUNG-SOO
With a slogan “Diagnosing and Treating Hepatitis”, the Government of Mongolia and the World Health Organization (WHO) are jointly marking the World Hepatitis Day, which falls on July 28th. Today, President of Mongolia Khaltmaagiin Battulga received Dr. Shing Young-soo, WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific, who is visiting Mongolia in connection to the event.
At the beginning of the meeting, Dr. Shing Young-soo thanked President Battulga for the audience, and said that the WHO appreciated the implementation of the Healthy Liver Mongolia Program, which aims to reduce viral Hepatitis infection and Hepatitis-related mortality in the country. He noted that the program, implemented by the Government of Mongolia, set an example for countries around the world. On this trip to Mongolia, Dr. Shing Young-soo worked in rural areas where he witnessed primary care physicians and nurses working diligently and even resorting to horses as means of transportation to ensure effective implementation of the program. Dr. Shing Young-soo reiterated his satisfaction with the implementation of the program, expressing his thought that this example of primary health care service should be known to the world.
Dr. Shing Young-soo also talked about the International Conference on Primary Health Care, which was held in 1978 in Alma-Ata, Kazakhstan, and the importance of Mongolia’s participation in this year’s conference.
For his part, President Battulga elaborated on the goal of the Healthy Liver Mongolia Program and active efforts of the Government and the corresponding Ministry toward fulfilling the objectives set within the program.
President Battulga remarked on the high rate of liver disease in Mongolia, saying that it needs to be addressed by everyone, including the head of state. The President also appreciated the WHO’s policy and operational support in the development and implementation of health care programs in Mongolia. The sides exchanged views on pressing issues in the health sector.
