Gennady Gatilov, Russia’s permanent representative to international organizations headquartered in Geneva, politicized the decision to close the World Health Organization (WHO) office in Moscow. The statement was made by the diplomat on the broadcast of the TV channel. “Russia 24”.
The diplomat noted that the WHO office in Moscow is working “very efficiently” and expressed hope that the WHO European Office’s decision regarding the office in Russia will be reviewed in the future. According to him, the Russian side is still ready for cooperation.
“Unfortunately, this topic was discussed a while ago and the possibility of closing the office hung in the air in the discussions within the European Office and WHO, and it actually ended on May 1st. The European Office took such a decision to close its Moscow office and move it to Copenhagen.”
Gatilov stated that the purpose of the decision to close the WHO office was the politicization of health services, adding that such steps are unacceptable because “health care should be developed for the benefit of all states and should not be the subject of any political conflict.” The diplomat also noted that the damage caused by the closure of the office will be felt by the CIS countries, since the coordination of cooperation in the fight against infectious diseases is carried out through him.
Former WHO chief Ghebreyesus meets With Salagam, Deputy Minister of Health of Russia.