Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence was elected to the Executive Board of the World Health Organisation (WHO), giving Guyana a voice in helping to shape global health policies.
The WHO’s Executive Board has oversight responsibility for implementing decisions and policies of the World Health Assembly (WHA), which is an advisory body to facilitate WHO’s work.
Minister Lawrence will serve in the position for the next three years.
The WHO’s Executive Board comprises 34 individuals and meets twice annually; in January and in May.
The 145th session of the Executive Board will meet in Geneva next week for a two-day meeting.
“The honour of serving in this esteemed position affords Guyana the opportunity to shape global and regional health policies and to bring more health system resources to Guyana and the region of the Americas, thereby improving healthcare access and services to all its residents,” Guyana’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office and International Organisations, Geneva John RD Ford said in a statement announcing Lawrence’s election to the WHO body.
Minister Lawrence is currently attending her third WHA conference and has helped establish Guyana “as a strong advocate for universal healthcare to bring improved access and quality healthcare to all [of] Guyana’s citizens, especially those most vulnerable,” Ford’s said while making the announcement.
