In light of the aging population and the rise in chronic illnesses, Macau wants to take a leading role in addressing public health challenges in the Greater Bay Area. Speaking at the 78th World Health Assembly in Geneva, Alvis Lo announced the creation of a specialized training base for family medicine. The project will target professionals from both the public and private sectors, supported by experts from the Greater Bay Area, and aims to position Macau as a center of excellence for healthcare talent training and exchange.
The proposal was presented as part of the Macao SAR delegation’s participation in the Assembly, which runs under the theme “All for Health, Health for All” until May 27. Alvis Lo emphasized that holistic healthcare, with a focus on family and geriatric medicine, is essential to meet the needs of an increasingly elderly population vulnerable to chronic diseases.
Macau intends to leverage its strategic position and the experience gained through the “Healthy Macau” initiative to actively contribute to both regional and international health development. According to Lo, the government has incorporated health into public policies through programs such as “Healthy Community,” “Healthy Enterprises,” and “Healthy Schools,” in collaboration with associations, schools, and businesses, aiming to promote prevention and improve the population’s quality of life.
During the event in Geneva, the Macau delegation also held meetings with Lei Haichao, Director of China’s National Health Commission, and Ambassador Chen Xu, China’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations.
The World Health Assembly, organized by the WHO, was marked by urgent appeals from Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus for reform of the global health system. He warned of a $1.7 billion funding shortfall over the next two years and advocated for the adoption of a new “Pandemic Agreement” to ensure an effective global response to future health crises.
