Russia, WHO to continue healthcare cooperation, including on HIV prevention - Russian Health Ministry

MOSCOW. Feb 17 (Interfax) - Russian Deputy Health Minister Oleg Salagai and World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for Europe Hans Kluge agreed to expand cooperation in healthcare, including HIV prevention, the Russian Health Ministry said.

"Salagai and WHO Regional Director for Europe Hans Kluge agreed to continue developing constructive cooperation in a number of areas, including HIV prevention, involvement of Russian specialists in WHO career development programs, and the implementation of joint healthcare projects," the ministry said on Tuesday.

Salagai and Kluge discussed ways to enhance the healthcare systems of Central Asian countries and reform the work of the Regional Office for Europe amid funding cuts, as well as problems of politicized cooperation in healthcare, the office's priorities for the next budget cycle, and the use of the Russian language in WHO publications, it said.

The parties expressed willingness to develop partnerships and elaborate on specific joint initiatives, the ministry said.

Apart from that, Salagai and WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom exchanged views on relevant aspects of cooperation between Russia and the WHO, as well as prospects for reforming and optimizing the organization's activities in the changing financial and organizational conditions and its role in the global healthcare system.

"Following the meeting, the parties reaffirmed their mutual interest in continuing a constructive dialogue aimed at improving the World Health Organization's efficiency," the ministry said.

Salagai took part in the 158th session of the WHO Executive Board in Geneva, the ministry said.