His Excellency Iraqi Minister of Health Dr Alaa Alwan opened the workshop by saying, “It is very important to assess the safety of food and focus on how to control diseases. Food safety is an important issue and a global problem, which causes the death of more than 2 million people annually, most of whom are children. Those deaths are caused by bacteria, contamination of food by chemicals and pollution that lead to diseases in the gastrointestinal system and kidneys.”
His Excellency Dr Alwan pointed out the problems in preventing diseases, the shortages in human resources and capacity, lack of coordination between different sectors, problems in financing and those related to food safety activities. His excellency confirmed the importance of prioritizing the development of a system that involves all concerned sectors to ensure an objective work plan is in place. His Excellency expressed his gratitude to WHO in Iraq, the Regional Office and headquarters in Geneva for the mission and organizing the workshop.
“Ensuring food safety is one of the most important measures which WHO is keen to implement in Member States. Such activity helps governments in mitigating the risk of foodborne illnesses and/or health-related conditions. It is also part of International Health Regulations (IHR) developed by WHO in 2005. In Iraq, food safety is one of the top challenges facing the country in IHR implementation. Accordingly, WHO in collaboration with the Ministry of Health has conducted this mission to improve the situation of food safety (as a prerequisite to the successful implementation of IHR) in the country,” said Dr Adham Ismail, acting Representative of WHO in Iraq.
The experts made presentations with recommendations to improve food safety in Iraq. The recommendations centred on the following key issues:
- Intersectoral coordination
- Laws, regulations and implementation of food safety policy
- Emergency preparedness and response
- Foodborne disease surveillance and response
- Food safety monitoring and Inspection
- Information and communications
- Human resources and finances.
A final report will include all discussions and agreed upon points with inputs from Iraqi counterparts and will be presented to the Ministry of Health soon to proceed with the implementation of a comprehensive and effective food safety programme in Iraq.
For more information, please contact:
Gheeda AlMayahi
WHO Communications Officer
(+964) 7827886765
Ajyal Sultany
WHO Communications Officer
(+964) 7740 892 878
