Question: How many countries are included in the WHO South-East Asia Region?
(a) 11
(b) 12
(c) 10
(d) 13
Answer: (a)
Related facts:
- On 5 September, 2018, Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh was nominated for a second five-year term as Regional Director of WHO South-East Asia.
- She was unopposed by the 11 Member countries of WHO South-East Asia Region met at the Regional Committee session.
- It is worth to note that she is the first woman to become Regional Director of WHO South-East Asia Region (first term 1 February 2014) that accounts for one quarter of the world’s population.
- She is serving since four decades in health services and has graced on numerous distinguished senior post such as in IAS, World Bank and WHO.
Achievements as Office Bearer:
- During his tenure the region was certified polio free status in 2014 which is maintained yet.
- The Region eliminated maternal and neonatal tetanus becoming only the second WHO Region to do so. Countries in the Region have reduced maternal, under-5 and neonatal mortality rates to levels below the SDG targets.
- Four countries in the Region have eliminated measles and six have controlled rubella.
- The maternal mortality rates in the Region have reduced by 69%, the steepest decline in any WHO Region during the MDG era.
- Among neglected tropical diseases, India eliminated yaws; Nepal eliminated trachoma, while Maldives, Sri Lanka and Thailand have eliminated lymphatic filariasis. Two countries – Maldives and Sri Lanka have eliminated malaria.
About WHO in South-East Asia:
- WHO SEARO (South-East Asia Regional Office) provides leadership on health matters, articulates evidence-based policy options, provides technical support to countries and monitors health trends.
- The region comprise 11 member countries named Bangladesh, Bhutan, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, India, Indonesia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka,Thailand and Timor-Leste.
References-
http://www.searo.who.int/mediacentre/releases/2018/1698/en/
http://www.searo.who.int/about/en/