Brainstorming Workshop on the Preparation of the OIC Strategic Health Programme of Action (2013-2022)
Date: 11-12 June 2012
Venue: Ankara - Türkiye

In its capacity as the leading OIC institution for the preparation of the OIC Strategic Health Programme of Action 2013-2022 (OIC-SHPOA), SESRIC organized a brainstorming workshop on 11-12 June 2012 in Ankara, Turkey, to discuss and finalize the structure of the OIC-SHPOA document. The workshop was attended by the experts representing following members of the OIC Steering Committee on Health: Kazakhstan, Djibouti, Saudi Arabia, OIC General Secretariat, SESRIC, IDB, COMSTECH, ISESCO, WHO, and Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. The workshop was also attended by experts from Turkish Ministry of Health, TOBB University, Harvard School of Public Health and Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL).

In the opening session, Dr. Razley Mohd Nurdin, Director General of Department of Science and Technology in OIC General Secretariat, Dr. Savas Alpay, Director General of SESRIC and Dr. El Bashier Sallam, Manager of Health Division in IDB Group, delivered their opening remarks. All the speakers highlighted the vital role of health sector in the development of OIC countries. They underlined the progress made by member countries w.r.t some major health indicators in comparison with global and regional averages. They also highlighted the importance of OIC-wide cooperation in the area of health and crucial role of OIC-SHPA in this regard.

During the first working session, Mr. Mazhar Hussain, researcher from SESRIC made a background presentation on the OIC-SHPA. In his presentation, Mr. Hussain briefed the participants about the mandate, objectives and proposed structure/outlines of the OIC-SHPA. The presentation followed by an open debate which continued up to the last working session. During the discussion, the participants expressed their views about the contents of the OIC-SHPA and made valuable contributions to improve its structure to make it an effective and implementable document. After deliberating on the chapters of OIC-SHPA one by one the participants unanimously agreed upon the final structure of OIC-SHPA.

The participants also discussed the procedure of finalization of the draft document and agreed to communicate virtually up to the next review meeting which could be organized on the sidelines of the upcoming EMRO Health Conference to consider the first draft. Afterwards, the members of the Steering Committee will review the final draft of the SHPA document before presenting it to the Health Ministers during the first quarter of 2013. Members of the Health Steering Committee as well as other participating institutions committed to assist SESRIC by providing technical support during the preparation of the SHPA draft document.

The participants also took note with appreciation of the generous offer made by the WHO representative to facilitate OIC to convene an annual SHPA progress review meeting on the sidelines of the World Health Assembly in Geneva. At the closing session, the participants unanimously adopted the report of the workshop and expressed their gratitude to the SESRIC for warm hospitality and excellent arrangements.

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