WHO Headquarters, Manila Philippines: At the sideline of the RCM 2023, the heads of health from the Micronesian States met to discuss ways to strengthen partnerships and programs across the region.

Present in the meeting were: Secretary of Health Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI), Mrs. Francyne Wae-Jacklick, Minister of Palau, Honorable Gaafar, Minister of Kiribati, Honorable, Minister of Nauru, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana (CNMI), Guam, Federated State of Micronesia (FSM), & the Pacific Islands Health Officers Association (PIHOA) Executive Director, Emi Chutaro and Deputy Director of Programs and Operations, Janet Camacho.

Few of the focal points discussed in the meeting, sharing of resources such as:

1. Nursing school

2. Midwifery

3. Local Doctors

4. Medical Mission Team

To implement this proposal of joining hands, state health representatives must consult with their respective government leaders about potential collaboration with other island countries. A meeting with the Health Forum Secretariat will be initiated to formalize any plans and decisions.

For Immediate Release

19 October 2023

Manila, Philippines

On October 19th, 2023, Honorable Minister Ota Kisino and delegation attended a Bilateral meeting on the sideline of the Regional Committee Meeting (RCM) with Director General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, in Manila, Philippines. During this meeting, Minister Kisino shared updates on RMI’s action towards Non-Communicable Disease such as Cervical Cancer, Breast Cancer and other cancers associated with RMI’s Nuclear legacy. He also highlighted the endorsement of the first RMI Cervical Cancer Policy and Action Plan.

Moreover, Minister Kisino followed up on WHO’s support for the emergency approval for Cervical cancer Test Kits, Cancer Research and Evidence Based linking to RMI Nuclear Legacy as well Digital Health Policy technical requirements. Other issues on RMI Climate Change & Health Policy to which Dr. Tedros’ endorsed his support for the RMI to join the upcoming COP28. While these issues were shared, Director General Dr. Tedros expressed that these will be addressed.

Exchange of contact information and promised future planning and action was made between the two sides.

PC: WHO

Press Release

18 October 2023

WHO Headquarters, Manila Philippines: The Minister of Health and Human Services (MOHHS), Hon. Ota Kisino attended the Regional Committee Meeting (RCM) 2023, which will be held for a week in Manila, Philippines.

Minister Kisino was joined by Secretary of Health, Mrs. Francyne Wase-Jacklick, Mrs. Lucy Kisino, Dr. Dustin Bantol, Acting Deputy Secretary, and MOHHS Public Information Specialist, Ms. Eugen De Guzman.

A selection of officers was made among all the western pacific ministers during the inauguration to lead the Regional Committee Meeting (RCM) 2023. Honorable Dr. Mohamma Isham Jaafar, Minister of Brunei Darussalam, was elected as the chairperson for the 74th session of the WHO RCM 2023.