DHAKA, 21 August 2006 — Prime Minister Khaleda Zia yesterday urged the health ministers of Southeast Asia to urgently find a remedy for stark inequities in access to healthcare within and among the nations as the poorer countries have worse health outcomes than the better off. She made the call inaugurating the joint inaugural ceremony of the 24th session of Southeast Asian Region (SEAR) health ministers and 59th session of WHO Regional Committee meeting for Southeast Asia in Dhaka.
The health ministers’ meeting will continue on Aug. 20-21 while the regional committee meeting Aug. 22-25, with the health ministers, experts and international agencies will carry out brainstorming on ways of ensuring good health for all and addressing some mortal epidemics that have erupted of late.
Placing a few issues for consideration at the health ministers’ and regional WHO meetings, the prime minister said the developing countries need support in evolving new technologies and methods, particularly for making drugs available and affordable, at cheaper prices.
