Nima Wangdi 

Bhutan will host the 75th Regional Committee Meeting (RCM-75) for the third time this year from September 5 to 9 in Paro.

RCM is the WHO’s governing body in the region comprising of representatives from the region’s 11 Member States.

The RC meets every year to formulate policies, provide oversight for regional programmes, hear progress reports, and consider, revise and endorse new initiatives.

It adopts resolutions and makes decisions that guide the work of the Regional Office and country offices for the coming year.

WHO Bhutan’s representative, Dr Rui Paulo de Jesus, said a virtual high-level preparatory meeting was held yesterday where how to organise the meeting was discussed.

Officials from the WHO South East Asian Region (SEAR) are also in the country today for the preparatory works.

WHO officials said that they are working toward organising the meeting without any problem.

Health Minister Dechen Wangmo said Bhutan is honored and privileged to host the RCM this year for the third time. “It is also going to be an opportunity for us to showcase Bhutan to the world.”

“Not only the ministers but there will also be heads of various multilateral organisations taking part in the meeting,” lyonpo said.

The minister presented the elimination of cervical cancer at the last RCM.

About 300 people are expected to take part in the RCM.

Bhutan hosted RCM for the first time in 1997 and then in 2007.