Estonia Calls for Suspension of Russia's Participation in World Health Organization Decision-Making

Strategic Insights -

Estonian Health Minister Riina Sikkut today urged for Russia's participation in world health organization decision-making to be suspended, emphasizing that Russia's aggression against Ukraine must be met with concrete actions. Sikkut made the statement at the 76th World Health Assembly, where delegates from all 194 WHO member states are gathered. The Estonian Health Minister also met with Ukrainian Health Minister Viktor Liako, reaffirming Estonia's commitment to supporting Ukraine amidst the ongoing conflict.

Key Takeaways:

  • Estonia has allocated 3 million euros for the rehabilitation of war-injured Ukrainians in Estonia, with the first patients having already undergone treatment and returned to Ukraine.
  • Estonia plans to expand cooperation with Ukraine by offering training to Ukrainian health workers in Estonia and helping to modernize their curricula.
  • Estonia has provided war refugees from Ukraine with necessary assistance and health insurance on an equal basis with Estonian residents.
  • Estonia supports the integration of Ukrainian health workers into their health system and has no intention of alleviating their own health worker shortage with workers from Ukraine.
  • The 76th World Health Assembly will hold a mid-term review of the implementation of a resolution condemning Russian aggression and calling for humanitarian help, with a decision planned to continue implementing the resolution.
  • A landmark step was taken last week, with the transfer of the Regional Centre for Non-Communicable Diseases from Moscow to Copenhagen by a special session of the WHO Regional Committee for Europe.

Statistics:

  • 3 million euros allocated by Estonia for the rehabilitation of war-injured Ukrainians in Estonia.
  • 194 WHO member states attending the 76th World Health Assembly.
  • 12 votes against and 88 votes in favor of a resolution condemning Russian aggression and calling for humanitarian help at last year's World Health Assembly.
  • 30+ countries planning to continue implementing the resolution on humanitarian response to the crisis caused by the war.

Sources:

  • ("Estonia's Health Minister Calls for Suspension of Russia's Participation in World Health Organization Decision-Making," Al Bawaba, 2022)
  • ("Estonia Allocates 3 Million Euros for Ukraine's Health Care," SyndiGate Media Inc., 2022)
  • ("World Health Assembly 2022: What's on the Agenda?", WHO, 2022)