~M/ac16/R.6 B e Regional Corrmittee,
Having considered the document on Health Aspects of Industrializa- tion with Special Reference t o A i r ~o l lu t ion l ;
Realizing that human beings are the most important single development resource and the central factor i n development;
Recognizing that modern public health now has the tools required t o achieve marked improvement i n the health of the people during the transition from an agrarian t o an industrial economy;
Believing that any country wishing to achieve rapid industrializa- tion without paying an excessive price i n human values should accord a very high priority to measures for the protection and promotion of the health of the gainfully employed segment of the population and the i r families,
RECOMMENDS that
a. the health of the nation be considered an essential element In a l l social and economic development programmes;
b. a close working relationship be established between the health authorities and other authorities responsible for the economlc and social development to ensure the participation of health authorities i n the planning and implementation of the in&s- tr ial izat ion program a t a l l levels;
c. in planning new industrial projects, due consideration be given t o the integration of these projects i n the conmunity's general development programne t o ensure a healthy environment thrcugh the provision of both preventive and curative health services, healthy housing, safe c o d t y water supply, sanitary methods for the disposal of sewage, refuse and industrial waste;
d. where industries are well established and environmental and public health problems exist, detailed studies pertaining to these problems be undertaken and corrective measures in i t ia ted without delay;
e. adequate consideration be given t o the training of the medical, para-medical and auxiliary personnel needed for the f u l l range of health services;
f . countries of the Region accord a reasonably high priority to the provision of occupational health services, since the maintenance of health of the workers is an essential requirement for improv- ing productivity;
g. effective measures for the prevention and control of environ- mental pollution (atmospheric, riverine and wrine) be in i t ia ted and maintained;
h. adequate legal provision be made by Governemts i n the Region a t an early stage t o safeguard the health of the people and ensure the control of the working environment:
i. a health education programre be designed t o encarage the general public t o adapt themselves t o the new way of l i f e imposed by industrialization and t o ensure the proper use of health services and other measures provided t o promote health.
September 1966