Date: 19 - 24 May 2008
Venue: Geneva, Switzerland
Attendance: 193 Member States with their delegations.
19. May 2008
Slovenian Health Minister Zofija Mazej Kukovič presents EU positions at 61st World Health Assembly
In Geneva today, Slovenian Health Minister Zofija Mazej Kukovič attended the 61st session of the World Health Assembly at which representatives of the 193 WHO Member States were deciding on the work programme and the use of the WHO budget. In the address she delivered on this occasion, the Minister and current President of the EU Council of Ministers, presented the European Union’s positions. She emphasised the increasing burden of non-communicable diseases which are no longer an issue of the developed world alone, and identified tackling cancer as a priority of the Slovenian EU Presidency. As Mrs Mazej Kukovič maintained, a comprehensive approach including prevention, early detection, treatment, rehabilitation and palliative care as well as research is needed in order to successfully manage cancer and other non-communicable diseases. She also drew attention to risk factors for cancer such as smoking, harmful consumption of alcohol, certain levels of physical activity and dietary habits.
In her address, the Minister also touched on the effects of climate change on the health of the entire population and stressed that today’s discussion had to help towards developing a global plan to control the health risks associated with climate change.
Mrs Mazej Kukovič also underlined the endeavours of the European Union to achieve the Millennium Development Goals related to health and reported on progress made in the area of HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis.
On the margins of the session, Mrs Mazej Kukovič met Dr Margaret Chan, the Director-General of the World Health Organization. Their talks focused on the topical issues in the area of health. Among other subjects, the Minister acquainted Dr Chan with the course of the Slovenian EU Presidency and progress made on specific subjects.
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