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Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar began
his participation at the World Health Assembly (WHA) as head of the
United States delegation by delivering remarks during a plenary
session of the WHA. Speaking to representatives of the Member
States, Secretary Azar laid out key priorities for the United
States and the World Health Organization (WHO) and challenged the
WHO to keep its focus on its primary mission of preventing,
detecting, and responding to public health emergencies. The
Secretary’s remarks included:
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An announcement of up to $7 million in additional
assistance to go towards the response to the Ebola outbreak in the
Democratic Republic of Congo – making the total U.S. commitment up
to $8 million;
·
A recognition that it is disappointing and
inappropriate that Taiwan was not invited to observe the WHA; and
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A focus on the importance of private-sector engagement
and innovation, particularly when it comes to access to
medications.
Secretary Azar highlighted the Trump Administration’s
efforts to reduce drug prices for patients of the United States
while ensuring other countries contribute their fair share to
pharmaceutical innovation.
After the speech, Secretary Azar participated in an
event to champion the creation of a global research and development
hub focused on antimicrobial resistance (AMR). During his remarks,
the Secretary noted the strong U.S. commitment made through HHS
agencies to address this challenge, and announced that CARB-X – a
public-private partnership to address AMR – now included the
support of the United Kingdom and the Bill and Melinda Gates
Foundation.
Later in the day, at an event sponsored by the United
States government, Secretary Azar joined several nations in
remembering the 100th anniversary
of the 1918 influenza pandemic and recommended the need for a frank
discussion and close collaboration to ensure the world is better
prepared to protect against a potential pandemic flu.
Throughout the day, Secretary Azar spoke with
representatives from multiple nations participating in the WHA and
held meetings with health ministers and officials from the
Republic of Korea, Ukraine, Brazil, Germany, the United Kingdom,
and Saudi Arabia. Discussions covered a range of global health
issues, and the Secretary expressed the commitment of the United
States under the Trump Administration toward strengthening global
health security efforts.
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