Health Minister Chris Fearne has been appointed as the President of the World Health Assembly and will hold this position for one year while continuing his work as Deputy Prime Minister and Health Minister, a Department of Information statement said Monday.

He was appointed during the seventy-sixth edition of the World Health Assembly, following a unanimous vote in favour of Fearne by the representatives of the 194 Member States of the World Health Organization (WHO).

Being the first Maltese to occupy this position, Fearne said that during his term he will focus on making new medicines more accessible for everyone.

“Small countries are at a disadvantage when it comes to the introduction of these innovative medicines on the local market. Therefore, Malta will be at the forefront to make an impact on the health of all people around the world,” Fearne said.

Fearne said that this year is important for the WHO as it marks the seventy-fifth anniversary of its establishment. He said that the political, economic, social and environmental situations around the world are having an effect on health services and people’s health.

Fearne has meetings lined up with the Director General of the WHO, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, and with the Deputy Minister of the National Health Commission for China, Dr Cao Xuetao.