The WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, Ahmed Al-Mandhari and Regional Director of the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), Hossam Elsharkawi, on Tuesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance collaboration to support countries in the Middle East and North Africa respond effectively to key public health challenges.
The MoU aims to strengthen the support provided to countries in order to improve the health and well-being of populations living in emergencies, and protect and improve the health of vulnerable groups through ensuring access to essential health services, in addition to strengthening country capacity to provide access to sustainable, affordable and quality health services across the life course. The agreement also aims to strengthen leadership, governance and advocacy for health.
The MoU takes immediate effect and will be implemented with the direct involvement of all national stakeholders and WHO country offices in the region.
During the virtual ceremony, Al-Mandhari, said, “With a long history of collaboration with IFRC and working together to serve humanity, I am confident that this joint agreement can serve as a roadmap for us to strengthen support to countries and enhance national efforts to address key public health challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond in order to meet the urgent health needs of all people in the region”.
Elsharkawi, in turn, said, “Addressing current and future humanitarian challenges requires the strong commitment of all partners and courageous leadership that focus on locally led actions and interdependence. We are honoured to work alongside WHO and leverage our volunteer network to advance progress towards universal health coverage, strengthen emergency response and preserve the dignity of all people.”
Source: Jordan News Agency