The Maldives has chaired the 37th session of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Programme, Budget and Administration Committee (PBAC). The budget committee was chaired by the Director of the Ministry of Health Aishath Rishmee.
Each year, the WHO holds a series of PBAC meetings to decide what to do in the health sector and prioritise which projects to spend on during the year. WHO appointed the Maldives to chair the committee last year. The 37th session of PBAC took place from January 25-27 in Geneva, Switzerland. It was the first meeting since the Maldives was approved as a member state of the committee for the term 2022-2025.
Speaking to PSM News, Rishmee said chairing the session was a great honour for the country, adding it is the first time a woman from a Small Islands Developing State (SIDS) has chaired the committee. Countries typically chair PBAC after serving one year as vice chair of the committee. However, the important role of Maldives in the committee in the previous year has facilitated the opportunity to directly represent as a chair without spending a year as a vice chair.
During the meeting, discussions were held on operational and administrative expenditures, aid activities, assistance to countries, and strengthening countries in the health sector. The meeting will be followed by further committee meetings ahead of the upcoming WHO General Assembly.