Apr 26 2024The World Health Organization WHO welcomed Mr Javier Padilla Bernáldez, Spain's Secretary of State for Health and his delegation on 23 and 24 April 2024 to discuss joint global health priorities. Amongst others, Spain's focus is on universal health coverage and health systems strengthening; pandemic response and emergency medical teams; organ and tissue transplantation; malaria and other tropical diseases; and polio.
Mr Javier Padilla was accompanied by Ms Paola Cannata Molero, Director of the Cabinet of the Secretary of State for Health, Mr Jacobo Fernández Álvarez, Technical Secretary General, Mr Héctor Tejero Franco, Advisor in the Cabinet of the Minister of Health and Responsible for Health and Climate Change, and Mr Roberto Carro Vázquez, Senior Technician of the Office of the Secretary of State for Health.
WHO's Management and their teams thanked Spain for their financial and technical support over the years. Spain's support was instrumental in the last biennium in improving access to quality essential health services and medicines; addressing climate change and healthier environments; and strengthening country capacity in both data and innovation. Spain continues to be a champion of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative.