Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 23 November (BelTA) – Belarus’ Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Andrei Dapkiunas took part in an official opening of the second regional meeting held in Minsk to discuss expansion of access to high-quality and affordable medicines and diagnostic facilities in the countries of Eastern Europe and Central Asia, BelTA learned from the press service of the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

In his address to the participants of the meeting, Andrei Dapkiunas highlighted the importance of creating an effective healthcare system with a view to achieving Sustainable Development Goal No. 3 “Ensure healthy lives and promote wellbeing for all at all ages”.

Andrei Dapkiunas stressed that Belarus consistently supports the initiatives of the United Nations, the World Health Organization, UNAIDS, the Global Fund to Fight AIDS aimed at drawing the attention of the international community to the need to combat AIDS, hepatitis and tuberculosis, and to increase the effectiveness of joint actions. According to the Belarusian diplomat, access to medicines to combat epidemics like HIV/AIDS, hepatitis and tuberculosis is one of the main elements in achieving the right of everyone to the highest possible level of health protection.

The deputy minister noted that, like in other areas of international cooperation, Minsk is becoming a place to unite the efforts of the region in strengthening the people's health protection.

The first regional meeting on access to high-quality and affordable medicines against AIDS, hepatitis and tuberculosis was held in Minsk in November 2016 at the initiative of the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The current event was organized by the Healthcare Ministry of Belarus, UNAIDS and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS.