Dear Sopo,

As you may remember, we discussed possible informal encounter of the minister with the assistant director general in Sitges. Unfortunately Dr Naoko Yamamoto was not able to attend the meeting in Sitges, but she will be in Tallinn next week.

As you know, our work in the area of UHC is mostly funded by funds provided by EU-LUX-WHO Partnership and by Japan.

The latest have been provided by the Government of Japan to the entire WHO and several countries will benefit worldwide, including some countries in the European Region (Georgia, Moldova, Kyrgyzstan, Ukraine, Greece).

Ms Naoko Yamamoto, Assistant Director General (see below), has substantially contributed to secure the funds from Japan.

The minister may wish to thank her for generous funding secured by Japan, that enables WHO technical assistance to Georgia in the area of UHC, which includes:

·         Preparing a strategy for strategic purchasing

·         Revising and introducing new payment systems for hospitals (DRG)

·         Designing best practice patient pathways for selected condition(s)

·         Strengthening regulatory capacity and regulations (GMP)

Dr Naoko Yamamoto, Assistant Director-General for Universal Health Coverage and Health Systems Cluster

Dr Naoko Yamamoto has been appointed Assistant Director-General for Universal Health Coverage and Health Systems. Dr Yamamoto brings nearly 30 years of experience working on health in Japan and most recently served as Senior Assistant Minister for Global Heath in Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. In this capacity, she was heavily involved in Japan’s global health leadership, including hosting and organizing the International Conference on Universal Health Coverage in 2015 and supporting the compilation of the G7 Ise-Shima Vision for Global Health and Kobe Communique of the G7 Health Ministers’ Meeting in 2016, both of which highlighted the importance of promoting universal health coverage. Prior to this role, she served in numerous health-related positions within the government of Japan, including as Director General of the Hokkaido Regional Bureau of Health and Welfare, Director of the Health and Medical Division at the Ministry of Defense, and Counsellor to the Permanent Mission of Japan to the United Nations. She holds a medical degree, a PhD in epidemiology and a Masters in Public Health.

I don’t think a special meeting is needed.

The minister can easily approach her during the breaks or receptions.

Sarah, Tamas and Hans will be around, if he would need any assistance.

Best regards,

Marijan Ivanusa

WHO Representative

Head of WHO Country Office Georgia

Office location: 81 Vasil Barnov Street, 0179 Tbilisi, Georgia

Mailing address: UN House, 9 Rapiel Eristavi Street, 0179 Tbilisi, Georgia

Mobile 1: +995 599 305 207

Mobile 2/EU/private: +386 40 528 639

Email: ivanusam@who.int

Skype: who-ivanusam

GPN: 74211

Web: www.euro.who.int