Watch the video on World Health Day in SudanKhartoum, 7April 2015 – Today, the World Health Organization country office in Sudan, in collaboration with Ministry of Health and Agriculture and Food Organization of the United Nations (FAO) celebrated World Health Day 2015 on food safety.
Hosted by Sudan News Agency, the celebration was attended by representatives of the Ministries of Agriculture and Animal Resources, as well as a large number of media representatives.
In her remarks, Dr Naeema Al-Gasseer, WHO Representative in Sudan, stressed the importance of a collective and multidisciplinary approach in handling food safety issues as the right path to ensure safe food.
“Individuals, civil society, consumers’ rights protection societies have roles as important as the roles of the government and health authorities.” She said. “As one UN, I would like to stress the joint role of WHO and FAO in supporting the efforts undertaken by the Sudanese Government. I also reiterate the importance of implementing the key WHO food safety recommendations through all steps of the food chain.”
Dr Al-Gasseer also noted the cross border and inter-regional nature of food safety in light of globalization and the fact that food was being produced in one country to be consumed in another, a matter that increased the burden on food safety systems. In this regard, Dr Al-Gasseer stressed the importance of implementing the International Health Regulations (2005) relating to food safety.
On the occasion of World Health Day, Dr Salah El-Din Mubarak, representative of H.E. Federal Minister of Health, praised the supportive role WHO had played over the years in eradicating and eliminating diseases from the world, including Sudan. “We acknowledge the positive contribution of WHO that has resulted in eradicating certain diseases and reducing the burden of many others, including malaria, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and Guinea worm disease.” He said, ”Today, as we focus on food safety, a lot of work has been done in many areas related to food safety, including quality control, supervision on food industry, water and food standards, inspection of slaughter houses, etc. the Ministry of Health has taken a tough stance to end noncompliance. We are proud of the quality of our laboratories although more work needs to be done”.
Dr Abdi Jama, FAO representative in Sudan, highlighted food safety as a joint WHO and FAO area of continuous work. He pointed out the effect of ensuring food safety on safeguarding the food security.
“FAO and WHO are key international leaders in the development of global food safety initiatives and translating these into country level action. FAO and WHO support an integrated and multidisciplinary approach to food safety management and holistic and feasible “food chain” solutions to specific food safety problems”. Dr Jama said, “FAO and WHO play a critical role in developing and promoting international and regional agreements, regulations and other frameworks that promote fair and safe trade and enhance global and regional market opportunities and participation.”
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Watch the video on World Health Day in Sudan