Neglected tropical diseases (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/RC69.R4 11 October 2018 NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES The Regional Committee, Concerned that 15 neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) in the Western Pacific Region continue to be public health challenges that mostly affect hard-to-reach and marginalized populations; Recalling the Regional Committee resolution endorsing the Regional Action Plan for Neglected Tropical Diseases in the Western Pacific (2012–2016) (WPR/RC63.R4); Building on significant progress on NTDs in the Region since 2016: validation of the elimination as a public health problem of lymphatic filariasis in nine more countries and trachoma in two more countries; and the control of schistosomiasis to the point that regional elimination is now within reach; Recognizing Member State efforts to intensify preventive chemotherapy campaigns that accelerate the elimination of certain NTDs; Further recognizing the need for a new complementary multisectoral approach to accelerate the control and elimination of other NTDs; Noting the challenges that Member States face in enhancing interventions, services and surveillance capacity to combat NTDs; WPR/RC69.R4 page 2 Noting also that integrated efforts to control and eliminate NTDs would be the most cost- effective and sustainable approach in most settings; Emphasizing that control and elimination of NTDs requires that health services reach marginalized and neglected populations, contributing to the achievement of universal health coverage, 1. ENDORSES the Regional Action Framework for Control and Elimination of Neglected Tropical Diseases in the Western Pacific; 2. URGES Member States: (1) to use the Framework to inform developing or updating comprehensive multisectoral national action plans for the control and elimination of NTDs; (2) to ensure adequate technical, financial and human resources for the implementation of national action plans to combat NTDs; 3. REQUESTS the Regional Director: (1) to provide technical support for Member States to develop or update national action plans for control and elimination of NTDs; (2) to advocate and enhance collaboration to control and eliminate NTDs and support facilitation of multisectoral partnerships; (3) to report periodically on progress in implementing the Regional Action Framework for Control and Elimination of Neglected Tropical Diseases in the Western Pacific. Seventh meeting, 11 October 2018