Khalid Ait Taleb, Minister of Health and Social Protection, took part in the opening meeting of the Commissioners of the World Health Organization’s Social Connection Committee from December 5-8 in Bellagio, Italy.
Ten fundamental health policymakers, intellectuals, leaders, and advocates are all attendees of this one-of-a-kind event. The primary objective of the gathering is to promote social connections as a high priority in global health.
In his speech, Minister Ait Taleb addressed Morocco’s considerable social isolation problem, underlining the importance of adopting a proactive approach.
Morocco has started vital initiatives aimed at extensive social protection and a thorough health system revamp under the leadership of King Mohammed VI.
These reforms place a premium on developing social connections by providing elderly people with care which safeguards their dignity and by establishing numerous social programs which guarantee a satisfactory standard of living.
The Committee’s goal is to make social interaction a worldwide health priority by encouraging promising initiatives. This campaign is particularly significant with respect to the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic in revealing insights into the social and economic consequences of eroding social relationships.
Morocco’s pivotal role in this initiative solidifies its position as a member of the executive board of the World Health Organization, showcasing the country’s commitment to global health and social well-being.
The committee is being chaired by the Surgeon General Vivek Murthy of the United States, and co-chaired by Chido Mpemba, the African Union’s Youth Envoy. It will be in place for three years.
Morocco was chosen–together with the United States and Japan–to draft a report for submission to the World Health Organization (WHO) Annual Assembly and the United Nations General Assembly at the meeting’s conclusion.
The report will advocate for the recognition of isolation and loneliness as officially recognized public health issues–in addition to finding solutions to combat these issues–in order to accomplish the UN’s aim of propagating means by which dignified living standards are achieved.