Dili, 26 August: The Ministry of Health, together with WHO Timor-Leste and the WHO South-East Asia Regional Office, held a media workshop for journalists ahead of the 79th Session of the WHO Regional Committee for South-East Asia (RC79), to be held in Timor-Leste from 7 to 10 September.
The workshop was opened by Mr Narciso Fernandes, Director-General of Cooperation Services, Ministry of Health, and Dr Arvind Mathur, WHO Representative to Timor-Leste. It gave journalists an overview of RC79, its agenda, priorities and processes, along with practical guidance on covering the four-day meeting and the media opportunities available.
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Mr Narciso Fernandes, Director-General of Cooperation Services, Ministry of Health and Dr Arvind Mathur, WHO Representative © WHO Timor-Leste
Mr Narciso said the workshop was an important step in preparing journalists ahead of the event. “The Regional Committee Meeting will bring together Member States from the South-East Asia Region to discuss the key health issues affecting countries of the Region,” he said. Mr Narciso described the media as the “eyes and ears” of the community, with an important role in keeping the public informed about the discussions and outcomes of RC79.
The programme begins on 7 September with the opening ceremony, followed by meeting sessions through 10 September.
Dr Mathur described RC79 as an important opportunity for Timor-Leste to host a major regional health dialogue. He said the meeting, organized jointly by the WHO South-East Asia Regional Office and Timor-Leste as host country, would allow the country to share its health experiences, learn from other Member States and strengthen regional cooperation.
Ms. Shamila Sharma and Mr. Manoj Jhalani from WHO SEARO presenting on RC79 © WHO Timor-Leste
The Ministry of Health also encouraged journalists to report with clarity, balance and perspective, helping the public understand the significance of RC79 for Timor-Leste and the wider South-East Asia Region.
The workshop included presentations on both the meeting and key issues on its agenda. Joining virtually from the WHO South-East Asia Regional Office, Ms Shamila Sharma presented on the purpose and key agenda items of RC79./countries/timor-leste/local-media-participating-the-rc79-workshop-for-media.jpg?sfvrsn=97481031_1 "Local Media Participating the RC79 Workshop for Media")
Local media participating the RC79 workshop for media
Mr Manoj Jhalani, Director, Department of Health Systems, outlined the Ministerial Round Table on Human Resources for Health: Equity in Specialized Care, while Dr Suman Rijal, Director, Department of Health Promotion, Disease Prevention and Control, presented on Closing the Gap to ‘End TB’: Strategic Priorities for the WHO South-East Asia Region.
Ms Misliza Vital, Head of Health Promotion, spoke about what RC79 means for Timor-Leste.
From the Ministry of Health, Ms Misliza Vital, Head of Health Promotion, spoke about what RC79 means for Timor-Leste and guided journalists through the media resources available to support their coverage. The Ministry’s EPS team also contributed to the briefing.
The workshop concluded with an open discussion, giving journalists the opportunity to ask questions and clarify information ahead of RC79, while strengthening their understanding of the meeting and the key regional health issues that will be discussed in Dili.