SE Asian health ministers meet in Jaipur

Jaipur, India will host the 29th meeting of health ministers of countries from World Health Organization (WHO) South East Asia Regions (SEAR) from Tuesday which will mainly focus on anti-microbial resistance and prevention and control of non-communicable diseases.

Growing anti-microbial resistance is one of the burning issues in the field of health. Experts and governments of various countries have started talking about it in a big way. Since, antibiotics are being used indiscriminately, bacteria in the body develop resistance.

The countries in SEAR are India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, DPR Korea, Indonesia, the Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Timor-Leste.

A WHO official said the meeting is a forum for exchange of national experiences and strategies relating to the political, social and economic dimensions of health.

He said the meeting will discuss important health issues in the region and forge bilateral and inter-country cooperation and regional solidarity. These meetings help enhance cooperation and reinforce political commitment. (TOI)