The Minister of Health and Social Services of the Republic of Namibia, Honourable Dr. Libertina Amathila, has been elected as President of the Fifty Third World Health Assembly taking place this week (15 - 20 May 2000) in Geneva, Switzerland.

The World Health Assembly is the annual general meeting of all health ministers of the countries that are members of the World Health Organisation, jointly deliberating on health issues and seeking solutions to health problems. WHO now has close to 200 Member States, who represent more than 95 percent of the world's people.

Dr. Libertina Amathila was unanimously elected to steer the activities of the World Health Assembly for the next 12 months, until May 2001.In her acceptance speech. Dr. Amathila expressed her gratitude to her fellow Ministers of Health for bestowing such a distinguished honour to Namibia through her election as the President of the 53rd World Health Assembly.

Pointing out the successes achieved by the health sector globally, such as the eradication of smallpox, increased control of a number of infectious diseases, Dr. Amathila reminded the Assembly of the enormous challenges facing the World Health Organisation and the health sector globally. The poor people throughout the world have not benefited from the 20th Century technological developments. She pointed out that the HIV/AIDS epidemic and Ebola, as new diseases, and the re-emerging diseases such as multi-drug resistant TB and malaria, are causing disease burdens of unprecedented proportions. Not only are these diseases causing more deaths amongst the poor of the world, they also are negatively affecting the economies of the poor countries.

Other challenges for the WHO, such as non-communicable diseases, and natural disasters, such as the recent floods in Mozambique, have been listed by the Minister as needing closer attention from the health sector and its partners globally.

She reaffirmed the PHC (Primary Health Care) approach as the appropriate strategy for health delivery. She proposed an international health conference similar to Alma Ata Conference, to chart out appropriate strategies to address health problems in the 21st Century.

Dr. Amathila congratulated the WHO Director-General for her successful efforts to include women in the structures of the WHO.

Dr. Amathila, attending the World Health Assembly with some of her senior officials in the Ministry, will preside over the activities of the Assembly that started its deliber-ations today, l5th May and until the 20th May and will be the President until the next World Health Assembly.

The staff of the Ministry of Health and Social Services joins the World Health Assembly in congratulating the Honourable Minister Dr. L. Amathila on her appointment and expresses tI1e confidence that she will conduct the business of the World Health Assembly to a successful conclusion,

 Dr. K. Shangula

15th May 2000

Geneva

Switzerland