Photo : Collected
On the occasion of International Women’s Day 2024, WHO Regional Director for South-East Asia, Saima Wazed, emphasized the critical need for greater investment in the health and well-being of women and girls, underlining that such efforts must start with a substantial increase in overall health expenditure.
"On this count, our Region is lagging. Countries in our Region allocate only about 2.9% of GDP, against 4% globally. This means that out-of-pocket expenditure, as a share of current health spending, is unacceptably high," she stated in her message for March 8, a day dedicated globally to renewing the commitment to achieving gender equality.
On International Women’s Day, Saima reiterated her commitment to support all countries in the region to increase investment in women’s health and wellbeing, and to accelerate progress towards gender equality.
"This year, we are enjoined to invest in women, to accelerate progress. I am very pleased to support this message today, as improving the health of all women is one of my top priorities," she said.
Messenger/Fameema
