KUALA LUMPUR: A Malaysian delegation led by Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin is heading to the 72nd World Health Organisation (WHO) Western Pacific Regional Committee Meeting (WPRCM) in Himeji, Japan.

       Khairy, who left for Japan on Sunday (Oct 24), will attend the meeting from Oct 25-29.

       Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah and the Health Ministry's senior officers are also part of the delegation.

       "WPRCM will discuss issues and resolutions agreed upon during the 74th World Health Assembly (WHA), which was held virtually from May 24 till June.

       "The meeting will also discuss the proposed agenda for the 75th WHA that will be held next year," the Health Ministry said in a statement on Sunday (Oct 24).

       Among the issues to be discussed during the WPRCM are prime health care, Covid-19, school health, technical programmes development as well as coordination and leadership efforts.

       "The minister is also expected to conduct a series of two-way meetings with several countries to touch on strategic issues. He is also invited to be a speaker during a special session with the theme "Communication for Health" on Oct 28.

       "He is also scheduled to make an intervention statement on the Western Pacific Regional director's report and finalised discussion agenda in connection with health security and anti-microbial obstacles, non-infectious diseases, climate change, environment and health and proposed new vision titled 'For the Future'," the ministry said.

       Malaysia's presence during WPRCM is a manifestation of the country's commitment in supporting the implementation joint action by member countries in preventing, controlling and treating infectious diseases, non-infectious diseases and new diseases.

       "Malaysia's inclusion in the meeting is very important to ensure the country's policy interests are considered by WHO.

       "The country also has the opportunity to state its stand on developing the health sector at national and international levels," the ministry added.

       WHO Western Pacific Region consists of 37 developed and developing countries including Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Japan, the Philippines, Brunei, Cambodia and Mongolia.