Dr Tedros meets with President Ukhnaagiin Khürelsükh on 10 July 2023. Photo courtesy of the Government of Mongolia.
President Khürelsükh congratulated WHO on its 75th anniversary and noted the Organization’s support, assistance and cooperation played an important role in overcoming the challenges of the pandemic. President Khürelsükh also expressed his support for WHO’s Health for All campaign and expressed his desire to deepen cooperation within the framework of the interrelated national movements of “Healthy Mongolian People”, “Billion Trees”, and “Food Supply and Security”.
During his meeting with Prime Minister Oyun-Erdene, Dr Tedros applauded the country’s remarkable COVID-19 vaccination coverage achievement with 90% of the target group receiving at least the first dose by early 2022. They also discussed Mongolia’s ‘Vision 2050’ plan and commitment to health as a foundation for economic development.
“Last year we also celebrated the 60th anniversary of collaboration between the Government of Mongolia and WHO. I am grateful that over recent decades, and working with successive governments, they have provided invaluable support in helping safeguard the health of the Mongolian population and enabling the development of effective health policies in our country. I look forward to our partnership going from strength to strength in the years ahead,” said Prime Minister Oyun-Erdene.
Dr Tedros meets with Prime Minister Luvsannamsrai Oyun-Erdene on 10 July 2023. Photo courtesy of the Government of Mongolia
Lifeline of health systems, pandemic response
On 10 July, Dr Tedros also gave a speech at a high-level Mongolian Ministry of Health meeting on universal health coverage (UHC), hosted by the Minister of Health Sodnom Chinzorig, and attended by Deputy Prime Minister Amarsaikhan Sainbuyan and national high-level health leaders. In the speech he thanked health workers for their commitment, hard work and dedication to saving lives throughout the pandemic.
“Health and care workers are the cornerstone of strong health systems, based on primary health care and universal health coverage,” Dr Tedros said during the speech. “Over the last three years, the COVID-19 pandemic has been a stark reminder of how much we all depend upon health and care workers. I commend the government of Mongolia and your health and care workforce for your impressive response to the COVID-19 pandemic. It is one that others can learn from.”
Dr Tedros addresses health leaders at the high-level Mongolian Ministry of Health meeting on universal health coverage. Photo credit: WHO Mongolia
Dr Tedros also met with Minister of Health Chinzorig to discuss Mongolia’s COVID-19 response and the importance of taking lessons learned forward into the Pandemic Accord. The Minister of Health and Dr Tedros also discussed tobacco and alcohol control and efforts to end tuberculosis in the country.
“With early preventive measures, a culture of continuous improvement, and the hard work of your health and care workers, you saved lives, kept health systems functioning, and achieved coverage of high-risk groups like the elderly and health and care workers,” said Dr Tedros. “WHO is proud to continue to support Mongolia's efforts for health system strengthening and emergency preparedness and response.
Dr Tedros meets with Mongolian Minister of Health Sodnom Chinzorig on 10 July 2023. Photo credit: WHO Mongolia
During his last day, Dr Tedros held a meeting with the United Nations, development partners and the diplomatic community in Mongolia to promote their partnership for health.
At the meeting, Dr Tedros said, “I commend the government’s cross-cutting action on the climate crisis, which is also a health crisis. The UN and diplomatic communities in Mongolia’s technical and resource support can make a real difference in areas such as climate change, environment, infrastructure, clean energy, urbanization, human rights and gender equality.”
It is critical for WHO to build strategic partnerships and alliances with a wide range of domestic and international stakeholders in countries to bolster positive held impacts and progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals.
The meeting was attended by representatives of UN agencies in Mongolia, including UNDP, UNICEF, UNFPA, FAO, IOM, UNIDO, and ambassadors and delegates from the following diplomatic missions: Australia, Czechia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Russian Federation, Türkiye and Viet Nam.
Celebrating Mongolia’s unique culture
Dr Tedros attended the opening ceremony of the Mongolia’s Naadam Festival on 11 July which celebrates its historical anniversaries, rich traditions and vibrant culture through displays of music and performances. He said, “I’m happy to be in Mongolia on this special day, a symbol of unity, resilience and cultural treasures.” He visited horseracing camps outside Ulaanbaatar to witness the celebrations and engaged with the Members of the Parliament and people attending the festivities discussing the country’s life, traditions, present and future priorities to improve the health of all Mongolians.
Dr Tedros with Minister of Health Sodnom Chinzorig at the Naadam Festival on 11 July 2023. Photo credit: WHO Mongolia.