Health Ministry Organises Ceremony For Outgoing WHO Country Head

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 23rd Jan, 2017 ) : Ministry of National Health Services Monday organised a special ceremony in honour of the outgoing Country Head for Pakistan of World Health Organisation (WHO) Dr Michel Thieren.

High ranking officials and heads of international agencies based in Pakistan participated in the ceremony. Paying tribute to the services of Dr Michel during his tenure from May 2014 to January 2017, Federal Secretary Health Muhammad Ayub Shaikh said Dr Thieren's public health knowledge and wide experience of working in different countries including conflict zones and areas ridden with crisis brought great value to his work in Pakistan presenting diverse challenges.

He said, "Dr Thieren stood firmly by us in 2014 as we faced the dual challenge posed by the risk of Ebola virus entering our borders and the seemingly uncontrollable spike in Polio cases." He said, "We have together taken many steps forward in the area of mother and child health, enhancing core capacities in International Health Regulations to stop cross border spread of disease, health system strengthening, improving the lot of people with disabilities to mention a few.

" Speaking on this occasion, Dr Michel Thieren said, Pakistan was about to eliminate polio as people besides their leaders were fighting against this crippling desease with a strong will.

In the 25 years of Global Polio Eradication Programme's existence, almost no country on the planet showed such a steep percent reduction in polio caseload like Pakistan had in a two-year period, he added.

Later, Secretary Health presented a shield to Dr Michel in recognition of his outstanding services to the country. Dr Michel upon completion of his tenure in Pakistan has been given the key responsibility of Director WHO Emergency Operations at WHO Regional Office in Cairo.