WHO events addressing public health priorities.

Key lessons learnt over the two decades since the implementation of the Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI) platform (1) have highlighted difficulties faced by regional governments and partners in engaging the private sector in the implementation of the platform. Currently, there has been a focus on training of health care providers only, while investment in supervision has been inadequate and limited emphasis has been placed on community care. Country level health systems have not been responsive to integrated management of childhood illness implementation needs (1). In order to address these shortcomings, a consultative meeting on redesigning the integrated approach to child health in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and other related global initiatives was held in Cairo, Egypt, from 24 to 26 September 2017. A total of 28 participants from ministries of health, the academic community, regional and global experts from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), attended the meeting (2). This consultative meeting aimed to discuss and agree on future directions and a clear framework for action for newborn, child and adolescent health in the Region. The objectives of the meeting were to analyse the implications of the findings of the IMCI global strategic review in countries of the Region. Thus, determine necessary action to be included in the draft of the proposed regional framework for child and adolescent health and development 2018–2025. In addition, there was a review of the draft regional framework for child and adolescent health and development, taking into account emerging newborn and child health issues, and propose mechanisms of alignment with existing platforms, including the IMCI; propose concrete guidance on child health programming in humanitarian contexts; and suggest practical steps to operationalize the guidance (2). The inaugural speech of the late Dr Mahmoud Fikri, Regional Director, WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean (WHO/EMRO), was presented on his behalf by Dr Maha Eladawy, Director, Health Protection and Promotion (WHO/EMRO). In his opening remarks, Dr Fikri stated that the proposed regional framework for child and adolescent health and development 2018–2025 represented a unique platform to bring together all related programmes and concerned sectors along with United Nations agencies and nongovernmental organizations. In addition, Dr Anirban Chatterjee, Regional Adviser, Health and Nutrition, UNICEF Middle East and North Africa Regional Office (MENARO) reiterated UNICEF’s commitment to advancing the issues of child and adolescent health in coordination with WHO and other partners.