Ms Saima Wazed Hossain, a globally renowned champion for the cause of autism spectrum disorder, has been appointed as WHO Goodwill Ambassador for Autism in South-East Asia Region.

Her support is expected to boost WHO’s effort to generate awareness and action to address the suffering of children with autism spectrum disorder, as well as their parents and caregivers.

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On 1 July 2017, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus begins his 5-year term as WHO’s new Director-General. Dr Tedros previously served as Minister of Health and Minister of Foreign Affairs in Ethiopia . Dr Tedros plans to focus on five main areas of work during his tenure: achieving universal health coverage; strengthening the capacity of national authorities and local communities to detect, prevent and manage health emergencies; improving the health and well-being of women, children and adolescents; addressing the health impacts of climate and environmental change; and building a transformed, transparent and accountable WHO.

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On 21 June the United Nations observe the International Day of Yoga.

Yoga can be practiced anywhere by people of all age groups, irrespective of their socio-economic status. It fits in very well with the healthy lifestyle that WHO has been strongly advocating for, throughout the life cycle - from childhood to healthy ageing.

WHO has been advocating physical exercise as one of the primary preventive measure against non- communicable diseases such as heart diseases, diabetes and respiratory diseases, which are increasingly growing in numbers. Exercise is a must for physical wellbeing.​

• Media Statement

This year's Health Financing Policy Workshop focuses on 'Moving towards strategic purchasing for health in Asia'. Strategic purchasing is vital to achieving universal health coverage and ensuring health and well being for all.

The workshop is being attended by leading experts from the SEARO and WPRO Regions. The Second SEARO-WPRO Health Financing Policy Workshop is taking place in New Delhi, India from 19 to 22 June 2017.

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