Health ministers of South East Asia region to meet in Delhi

With increased incidence of high blood pressure in countries of South East Asia Region (SEAR), their health ministers are meeting here to discuss the implications and adopt a declaration in this regard.
Health Ministers of 11 SEAR countries will meet here from September 10 to 13 to discuss the progress made on key action points and commitments for promoting ageing and health, the theme of last year's Declaration.
President Pranab Mukherjee will inaugurate the 31st meeting of Ministers of Health of countries of WHO's South- East Asia Region and the 66th session of the WHO Regional Committee on September 10 at Rashtrapati Bhawan auditorium, where the Ministers will set goals for post-2015 Development agenda after achieving the MDGs.

Health and Family Welfare Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said high blood pressure has been a concern for people of the South-East Asia region and the health ministers during their meeting will deliberate on evolving strategies and ways to help control the disease.
The ministers will also adopt a New Delhi Declaration on high blood pressure during the meeting.
He said the ministers of SEAR countries will also discuss the implementation of international health regulations, non-communicable diseases including mental health and neurological disorders.

They will also discuss the role of WHO in managing emergencies, training and education of health workforce and the pandemic influenza preparedness besides the challenges in polio eradication.

The WHO Regional Committee will also discuss the issue of universal health coverage, targets for prevention of NCDs and measles elimination and rubella control.
India, which is one of the 11 SEAR countries, has also after a period of 44 years fielded its candidate for the position of WHO regional director by nominating its former deputy regional director Poonam Khetarpal Singh.