The Grand Hospitaller of the Order of Malta, Fra’ Alessandro de Franciscis, is in Geneva participating in the seventy-sixth World Health Organization Assembly which opened on Sunday 21 May.

The Assembly addresses the main challenges and priorities for global public health, with a particular focus on health emergencies and preparedness for health emergencies; global action on women’s, children’s and adolescents’ health; universal health coverage; primary health care, as well as health of refugees and migrants.

In his address to the health ministers gathered at the United Nations Palais de Nation, the Grand Hospitaller made a heartfelt appeal: “Please make your voices heard in your countries, please show how much “health” can be bought at the cost of one rifle, of one tank, of one bomb, of only one air fighting airplane or the filling with mines of a large field of wheat that will cost lives and amputations. War is the number one disease, and the cure is called Peace”.

During his stay, the Grand Hospitaller had meetings with the Director-General of the International Organization for Migration, Antonio Vitorino, with the Deputy Prime Minister and Health Minister of the Republic of Malta Chris Fearne, with the Health Minister of Ukraine Viktor Liashko, with the Health Minister of Palestine Dr Mai Al-Kala, with the Health Minister of Cameroon Dr Minachie Manaouda, with the Health Minister of Benin Dr Benjamin Hounkpatin, with the Health Minister of Kiribati Dr Tinte Itinteang and with Gillian Triggs, Assistant High Commissioner of the United Nations High Commisioner for Refugees.