KATHMANDU: Nepal played a key leadership role at the 158th meeting of the World Health Organization (WHO) Executive Board by representing all 10 member states of the South-East Asia Region.
On behalf of the entire region, Executive Board Member and Secretary at the Ministry of Health and Population Dr. Bikash Devkota, along with Alternate Member Dr. Bhim Prasad Sapkota, presented the collective views of SEARO member states on the WHO Director-General’s Annual Report 2025.
According to the Ministry of Health and Population, Nepal’s representation at the meeting further strengthened the country’s influence and leadership capacity at the highest level of international health diplomacy and global policy-making.
Addressing the meeting, Secretary Dr. Devkota emphasized the need to accord high priority to the prevention, preparedness and response to health emergencies at both regional and global levels.
He also stressed that prevention of non-communicable diseases and health promotion programs must be fully integrated into primary health care systems in order to achieve the goal of universal access to health services for all citizens.
The ministry expressed confidence that Nepal’s active role would help strengthen regional cooperation in addressing shared public health challenges across the South-East Asian region.
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