Guinea Celebrates World Health Day

UNCLAS CONAKRY 000090 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12598: N/A TAGS: SENV UNGA WHO KGHG TBIO KPAO GV SUBJECT: Guinea Celebrates World Health Day REF State 032493 ¶1. (U) Reftel requests that post report on World Health Day activities in country. The Embassy posted on their website information on World Health Day 2008 along with links to USG climate change policy and USG activities to protect health from climate change. ¶2. (U) The Government of Guinea hosted a World Health Day ceremony, focusing on "Protecting Health from Climate Change" on April 7. Dr. Rene Coddy, the Guinean Representative to the World Health Organization, gave the opening remarks for the ceremony. Following his remarks, a representative from the Ministry of Agriculture gave a presentation on the causes of climate change, the impacts of climate change visible around the world, and negative health consequences caused by climate change. Sangar Maimouna Bah, Minister of Public Health, gave the closing remarks, highlighting the need to improve Guinea's capacity to cope with climate-related health challenges. She emphasized the need for increased collaboration and partnership between the Government of Guinea and donor countries. Her proposed actions included: (1) strengthening surveillance and control of infectious diseases; and (2) establishing greater awareness and public understanding of health consequences of climate change through national and rural campaigns. -------------- COMMENT -------------- ¶3. (U) The ceremony was well attended by representatives from donor countries, NGOs and Guinean Government officials. The ceremony did not deviate far from the topic and discussion points coordinated worldwide through the World Health Organization for World Health Day ¶2008. END COMMENT. CARTER