The 56th World Health Assembly (WHA) opened in Geneva on Monday
amid a global concern over the infectious epidemic of Severe Acute
Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).
The containment efforts will be a major issue concerned by
participants of the event, as the latest figures from the World
Health Organization (WHO) showed that 31 countries and regions have
reported some 7800 SARS cases so far.
The highlights of this year's WHA include the appointment of new
Director-General Dr. Jong Wook Lee, who will succeed Dr. Gro Harlem
Brundtl and start his five-year term on July 21, and the possible
adoption of the framework Convention on Tobacco Control.
According to the secretariat of the WHA, health ministers will also
discuss issues such as post-war health challenges in Iraq and
violence prevention, healthy environment for children.
The WHA is the annual meeting of the 192-member WHO, and this
year's assembly will last till May 28.
Chinese Vice Premier and Health Minister Wu Yi has led a delegation
to attend the meeting.
(Xinhua News Agency May 20, 2003)