Taking collaborative action to reach positive health results for people around the world
OTTAWA, May 30, 2016 /CNW/ - In today's interconnected world, it's never been more critical to take collaborative action to improve global health. Infectious diseases are not limited by borders. Changing social, economic and environmental conditions are making health emergencies more difficult to predict and more challenging to respond to. The impacts of health inequities and increasing rates of many chronic diseases are felt around the world. Poor health in any part of the world is a threat to wellness in all parts of the world.
This past week, Canada participated in international health meetings in Geneva focused on strengthening health systems and improving countries' capacities to prevent, detect and respond to public health threats. The Honourable Jane Philpott, Minister of Health, and the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of International Development and La Francophonie, led Canada's support for action on a number of global health priorities to help achieve positive health results here and abroad.
As Chair of the Commonwealth Health Ministers Meeting, held May 22, 2016, Minister Philpott led Ministers in discussions around the themes of universal health coverage and health security. During these discussions she shared Canada's experiences and perspectives on building health systems, helping countries implement the International Health Regulations (IHR), and the response to the Zika virus.
Minister Philpott also led the Canadian delegation at the 69th World Health Assembly (WHA) in Geneva, highlighting Canada's health and development goals and global health priorities with world health leaders.
Minister Philpott addressed the Assembly on Monday, highlighting Canada's commitment to the world's achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, and the importance of achieving greater health equity. She further stressed the importance of addressing the long-range health issues that threaten the health and well-being of people around the world and reaffirmed Canada's commitment to collaborative efforts to help the world's most vulnerable, such as improving the health and rights of women and children, and those living with and affected by HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria through Canada's support for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.
The Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of International Development co-hosted, with the United Nations Population Fund, a side event to advance the global adolescent health agenda — an integral part of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals — by focusing on how Member States can accelerate implementing and monitoring global objectives in collaboration with key stakeholders, particularly youth.
Quotes
"It was a privilege to chair this year's Commonwealth Health Ministers Meeting and participate in the World Health Assembly. The global health challenges we face today are becoming broader, more complex and more difficult to address. That's why we need collective and collaborative responses. I am proud of Canada's work at these forums to advance actions to address the shared health challenges we are facing in our countries and on a global scale."
The Honourable Jane Philpott
Minister of Health
"Canada wants to lead the way to ensure that the global community is resolved to empower women and adolescents to be in charge of their own health and their own futures. We cannot separate the health and well-being of millions of women and the prosperity of their countries and of their communities. Canada looks forward to working with partners to support access to the full range of health services for women and children."
Marie-Claude Bibeau
Minister of International Development and La Francophonie
"Today's public health challenges are not only complex, but also shared by many countries. So, single solution approaches simply will not work. We need to approach these challenges in new ways, with greater collaboration among countries, and by bringing together different sectors of society – and not just health – to make a real difference. The decisions made at the WHA and the discussions during the many side meetings and events are important steps forward to promising health interventions."
Dr. Gregory Taylor
Chief Public Health Officer
Related Product
Canada Takes Collaborative Action to Address Global Health Challenges
Associated Links
Plenary Statement For the Honourable Jane Philpott, Minister of Health
Minister Philpott to Chair the Commonwealth Health Ministers Meeting and take part in the World Health Assembly in Geneva
Commonwealth Health Ministers Meeting 2016 Ministerial Statement
Minister Bibeau announces additional funding for women's and children's health and concludes visit to World Health Assembly
Canada, Mexico, and the United States Join Efforts to Address Childhood Obesity in North America
69th World Health Assembly
Follow us on Twitter: @CanadaDev
Like us on Facebook: Canada's international development - Global Affairs Canada
SOURCE Public Health Agency of Canada
Contacts: Andrew MacKendrick, Office of Jane Philpott, Minister of Health, 613-957-0200; Media Relations, Public Health Agency of Canada, (613) 957-2983; Bernard Boutin, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of International Development and La Francophonie, 343-203-5977, [email protected]; Media Relations Office, Global Affairs Canada, 343-203-7700, [email protected]
Share this article