Upon the invitation of the World Health Organization (WHO), Prof. Hao Wei attended two important expert meetings at the Geneva headquarters of the WHO from April 23 to 28.

The first meeting was the inaugural session of the WHO Strategic and Technical Advisory Group on Mental Health, Brain Health, and Substance Abuse, which provided advisory opinions to the WHO Director-General on global policies, strategies, and intervention delivery on issues related to mental, neurological, and substance use disorders. Prof. Hao Wei's recommendations focused on promoting mental health and strengthening prevention and control of substance abuse in support of WHO's efforts to further advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus attended the meeting and expressed his appreciation and support to the committee members for their work and gave instructions for their future work.

Group photo of the 24th WHO Expert Committee on the Selection and Use of Essential Medicines

The second meeting was the 24th meeting of the WHO Expert Committee on the Selection and Use of Essential Medicines. The meeting made additions and deletions to the WHO Model List of Essential Medicines. Prof. Hao Wei has provided critical advice on psychotropic drugs and drugs for detoxification and temperance. The new WHO Model List of Essential Medicines will include antipsychotics, antidepressants, and drugs used in alcohol dependence.

During the meeting, Prof. Hao Wei met with the WHO representatives and discussed the implementation of the cooperative consensus reached during Academician Tian Hongqi's visit, the former President of Central South University, to the WHO headquarters and relevant departments in November 2019.