North Macedonia and WHO reiterate commitment to collaborate on strengthening the health system

"Handing over my credentials today signifies not just a formal start, but a renewed commitment to strengthening the health system in North Macedonia. Together with the Government, WHO aims to support ongoing and future health sector reforms, ensuring a more resilient and efficient system that benefits every inhabitant. Our collaborative efforts will drive progress and enhance the well-being of all citizens," says WHO’s newly appointed representative of the WHO in North Macedonia, Dr. Akeem Ali during a meeting where he handed over the credentials to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Timco Mucunski.

At this occasion, and welcoming the new WHO representative, Minister Mucunski expressed gratitude for the nearly three decades long partnership between the Government and WHO, highlighting the decisive importance of the health sector for the future of the country.

Dr. Ali referred to the previous successful cooperation with the Government and the achieved results, such as the adoption of the National Action Plan for Health Security, the introduction of Mental Health Gap Action Program (mhGAP), several successful immunization interventions and WHO support to the Ministry of Health in the reform of the Public Health Care system, expressing his commitment to the continuous reform processes with the aim of strengthening the health system in the country, for the benefit of all.

Current cooperation with the Government unfolds in line with official documents governing mutual cooperation, such as the Biennial Cooperation Agreement (BCA) between the Ministry of Health and WHO for the period 2024-2025, as well as the country’s aspirations for complete European Union integration. As part of the BCA 2024 – 2025, activities for continuation of the undertaken reforms for health system strengthening are continuing, with an emphasis on PHC, HRH, upgrading governance and leadership functions of the Ministry of health, patient safety, mental health, NCDs prevention, healthy ageing, immunization, climate change and emergency preparedness and response.

Dr. Ali is a UK national and a specialist in public health, physician with more than 30 years of work experience across the globe in low-, middle- and high-income countries including small island developing states and has extended expertise in healthcare reform, policy analysis, disease prevention and control, medical education and research, and strategic planning.