The 60TH World Health Assembly (WHA) will open next Monday in Geneva, Switzerland. As many as 193 countries including 100 health ministers will take part in the Assembly. The delegation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia at the meeting will be headed by Dr. Hamad bin Abdullah Al-Manei, the Minister of Health. A number of issues including avian and pandemic influenza (developments, response and follow-up) and the application of the International Health Regulations; smallpox eradication: destruction of variola virus stocks; malaria, including proposal for establishment of Malaria Day; tuberculosis control: progress and long-term planning; prevention and control of non-communicable diseases: implementation of the global strategy; better medicines for children; and progress in the rational use of medicines. The Health Assembly will consider draft resolutions recommended by the WHO Executive Board on these and other issues. -- SPA
