Dr Tedros Adhamon Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, and Dr Mahmoud Fikri, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean27 July 2017 - Dr Mahmoud Fikri, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, met His Excellency Mr Ismail Omar Guelleh, President of Djibouti during a mission to Djibouti by a high-level delegation composed of WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WFP Executive Director Mr David Beasley and UNICEF Executive Director Mr Anthony Lake.

During his meeting with the President, Dr Fikri reiterated WHO’s support to strengthen the health system in the country by investing in four key priority areas: strengthening primary health care, expanding immunization for every child, establishing a robust disease surveillance system, and planning and investing in the development of the health workforce.

“I commend Djibouti’s significant progress in favour of health. Under-five and maternal mortality have been reduced by half over the last two decades,” said Dr Fikri. “We reiterate WHO’s support to strengthen the health system and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals,” Fikri concluded.

The delegation also discussed using the framework for cooperation between the country and the United Nations system in Djibouti to accelerate efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, and Djibouti’s key role in responding to humanitarian crises in the Region.