FIFTY-FIRST WORLD HEALTH ASSEMBLY Agenda item 21.1
WHA51.15 16 May 1998
Elimination of leprosy as a public health problem The Fifty-first World Health Assembly, Recalling resolution WHA44.9 and earlier resolutions of the Health Assembly and the Executive Board on leprosy; Noting with satisfaction the progress made so far towards eliminating leprosy as a public health problem through the widespread implementation of multidrug therapy together with intensified case-finding activities; Recognizing the need to intensify antileprosy activities, particularly in countries with a high rate of prevalence, in order to reach the goal of elimination of leprosy as a public health problem by the year 2000, 1. URGES Member States: (1) to recognize the excellent opportunity to eliminate leprosy as a public health problem;
(2) to intensify their efforts to reach remaining cases through accelerated plans, including national leprosy elimination campaigns and special initiatives to detect and treat patients in underserved communities, and by making multidrug therapy available in all peripheral health facilities; 2. REQUESTS the Director-General: (1) to continue to strengthen technical support to Member States in order to reach the goal of elimination of leprosy through treatment of patients with multidrug therapy, together with case-finding activities; (2) to continue to mobilize and coordinate technical and additional financial resources for sustainable efforts to eliminate leprosy; (3) to strengthen further collaboration with national and international nongovernmental organizations in order to ensure the attainment of the goal of elimination of leprosy as a public health problem; (4) to keep the Executive Board and the Health Assembly informed of progress. Tenth plenary meeting, 16 May 1998 A51/VR/10 = = =