Luanda — The director general of the World Health Organization (WHO), Margaret Chan, said that the impact of the current financial crisis coupled with prevailing burden of diseases in the region calls for crucial importance of functional health systems capable to provide with affordable and quality services at all levels.

In her message of welcome addressed to the President, José Eduardo dos Santos, the Government and people of Angola, the official highlighted the need of keeping the gains achieved and accelerate the progress towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) as well as the sustainable development of the African region in general.

Based on the success of the previous meetings, she stressed, the 62nd Session of the Regional Committee provides a unique platform for dialogue and decision-making on policies and strategies to improve health in Africa.

The five-day meeting, under the theme "Leadership for a better health", gathers 46 member countries.