Dr Alwan, WHO Regional Director (right), shakes hands with the Minister of Health of Morocco, H.E. Dr El Hussein El-Ouardi, accompanied by Dr Jaouad Mahjour of the Regional Office (left) and Mr Jilali Hazem, Ministry of Health, MoroccoH.E. Dr El Hussein El-Ouardi, the Minister of Health of Morocco, paid a one-day visit to the WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean on Sunday, 10 June, in response to an invitation extended by Dr Ala Alwan, WHO Regional Director. The aim of his visit was to discuss policy and strategic issues related to WHO collaborative activities in Morocco and to be briefed on the work of WHO technical programmes in the Region. Health systems and health sector financing were high on the agenda as Morocco prepares for a national conference on health to be held in November 2012.

The Minister reiterated his country’s support for the work of the Regional Office and of the priorities set by WHO and Member States in the Region. These priorities include medicine policy, health sector governance, human resource management and immunization and vaccination services.