Viral Hepatitis (Resolution)

WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION ORGANISATION MONDIALE DE LA SANTÉ R E S O L U T I O N REGIONAL COMMITTEE FOR THE WESTERN PACIFIC COMITE RÉGIONAL DU PACIFIQUE OCCIDENTAL WPR/RC66.R1 14 October 2015 VIRAL HEPATITIS The Regional Committee, Recalling resolution WPR/RC54.R3 establishing the goal to reduce chronic hepatitis B seroprevalence to less than 1% among 5 year olds; resolution WPR/RC56.R8 establishing the interim milestone of less than 2% by 2012; and resolution WPR/RC64.R5 setting 2017 as the deadline to achieve the goal of less than 1%; Acknowledging the success of the Region as a whole in achieving the less than 2% prevalence milestone and of 12 Member States verified as having achieved the less than 1% goal; Recognizing that the Western Pacific Region is home to a quarter of the world's population but nearly 40% of global deaths from hepatitis; and millions of people in the Region continue to live with chronic hepatitis B and C infection and are at high risk of cirrhosis and liver cancer; Noting that living with chronic hepatitis B and C results in high financial cost for individuals, the health sector and society at large; .../ WPR/RC66.R1 page 2 Welcoming the opportunity to contribute to reducing the impact of chronic hepatitis B and C infections and related liver disease with new, highly effective medicines that can treat hepatitis B and cure hepatitis C; Noting that these medicines are not yet available or affordable to most people living with chronic hepatitis in the Region; Emphasizing the need for comprehensive and coordinated action to effectively address viral hepatitis through both prevention and treatment approaches, based on the local epidemiological context, 1. ENDORSES the Regional Action Plan for Viral Hepatitis in the Western Pacific 2016–2020; 2. URGES Member States: (1) to develop national action plans for viral hepatitis, based on the local epidemiological context, building on existing human resources and health systems infrastructure; (2) to establish or strengthen surveillance systems; (3) to address the high cost and lack of availability of hepatitis medicines and diagnostics as a priority to improve access to treatments and cures; (4) to mobilize and invest technical and financial resources to address viral hepatitis; 3. REQUESTS the Regional Director: (1) to provide technical support for developing and implementing national action plans for viral hepatitis and promote better understanding of the burden of viral hepatitis and its consequences in Member States; .../ WPR/RC66.R1 page 3 (2) to disseminate and provide technical support to implement the Regional Action Plan for Viral Hepatitis in the Western Pacific 2016–2020; (3) to report periodically on progress in implementing the Regional Action Plan for Viral Hepatitis in the Western Pacific 2016–2020. Fourth meeting, 14 October 2015