Baghdad: Minister of Health Saleh Mahdi al-Hasnawi chaired the first meeting of the One Health Committee today.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the Ministry stated in a statement that the meeting focused on the Committee’s tasks relating to controlling epidemic diseases, reducing antimicrobial resistance, ensuring food safety, preserving environmental safety, and mitigating the effects of climate change. The Committee also examined the necessary measures and preparations to control the outbreak of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever and foot-and-mouth disease.

The meeting was attended by key officials including the Technical Undersecretary of the Ministry of Health, Hani al-Aqabi; the Technical Undersecretary of the Ministry of Environment, Jassim al-Falahi; and the Director General of the Public Health Department, Riyadh Abdul Amir al-Halfi. Additional participants included committee members from the Ministry of Health, relevant ministries and authorities, the representative of the World Health Organization in Iraq, the representative of the Ministry of Health in the Kurdistan Region, and the FAO.