Our guest to the delegates’ corner is Dr Mariam Al Jalahama, Assistant undersecretary for Primary Care and Public Health, Bahrain, a member OF the Bahraini delegation to the Regional Committee.

Our expectations of the Regional Committee meeting were to focus on:

noncommunicable diseases

financing health care

health system reform

modifying rules and regulations.

From my point of view the following issues also are very important.

Health system strengthening in countries of the Region

Political Declaration on UN General Assembly on the Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable diseases

WHO reform.

What I liked most about this RC session was:

the excellent organization

focus on key issues

control of time for discussions

the newsletter “RC news”

the side discussions on important issues, such as health financing health, were good.

The traffic light system actually resulted in a more effective use of time. Sometimes, unnecessary discussions distract our focus and prioritization.

I would like to see a decision on political commitment and health system