WORLD · HEALTH ORGANIZATION
REGIONAL OFFICE FOR THE WESTERN PACIFIC BUREAU R~GIONAL DU PACIFIQUE OCCIDENTAL
•
ORGANISATION MONDIALE DE LA SANTE
REGIONAL COMMITTEE Thirty-fourth sesSlon Manila
WPR/RC34/SR/9 9 September 1983 ORIGINAL: ENGLISH
PROVISIONAL SUMMARY RECORD OF THE NINTH MEETING WHO Conference Hall, Manila Friday,·9 September 1983 at 9.00 a.m. CHAIRMAN: Datuk (Dr) Abdul Khalid Sahan (Malaysia) CONTENTS
1.
Consideration of draft resolutions
.................. ........
3
2.
Time and place of the thirty-fifth and thirty-sixth sessions of the ~egiona_l_
Co1111Jittee ••••••••••••••••••••• •-• ••••••••••• •-· •••••
6
3.
Selection of topic for the technical discussions during the thirty-fifth session of the Regional Committee •••••••••••••••••••••••••• Statements by l:'epresentatives of the United Nations, the specialized agencies, and intergovernmental and nongovernmental organizations in official relations W~~h
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4.
WHO •• ••••••• e •••• .• •••••••••••••••••••••••••.•••••••••••
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5. 6.
Consideration of draft resolutions ••••••••••••••••••••••••• Resolution of appreciation •••••••••• • ••••••••••.••• • •••.••••• Clo.sure .of theses. s:~on
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7.
•••••••••••••• ~ ••••••••••• ~ ••••••••••
Note:
Corrections to this summary record should be given to the Programme and Reports Officer, Room 326, or handed to the Enquiry Desk in the lobby of the Conference Hall, within 24 hours of its distribution.
WPR/RC34/SR/9 page 2
For the List of Representatives at separately issued document WPR/RC34/DIV/l.
the thirty-fourth session,
see
WPR/RC34/SR/9 page 3
1.
CONS!DERATION OF DRAFT RESOLUTIONS The Committee considered the following draft resolutions;
1.1
Malaria (Document WPR/RC34/Conf. Paper No. 5 Rev .1) Decision: The draft resolution was adopted without comment (see resolution WPR/RC34.Rl0).
1.2
Sub-Committee on the General Programme of Work (Document WPR/RC34/Conf. Papet:l No. 10 Rev,. l) Decision: The draft resolution · was; adopted without comment (see resolution WPR/RC34.Rll).
1.3
Monitoring of progress in implementing .the strategies for health for all by the year 2000 (Document WPR/RC34/Conf. Paper No. 11 Rev.l)
Dr REYNES (France), referring to the fourth line of operative paragraph 1(3), proposed the deletion of the word "sub-national", which she considered superfluous. It was so agreed. Decision: The draft resolut;:j.on.,. resolution WPR/RC34.Rl2). 1.4
as
1;1mend,ed,
was
adopted
(see
,at Decision: The draft resolution resolution WPR/RC34.Rl3). was adopted
its
sevent -first comment (see
without
1.5
Oral health in the Document WPR/RC34
of health for all No. 14) was adopted without comment (see
Decision: The draft resolution resolution WPR/RC34.Rl4). 1.6
Prevention and control of cardiovascular diseases (Document WPR/RC34/Conf. Paper No. 15)
The REGIONAL DIRECTOR drew attention to a technical error in the French text of operative paragraph 3(3)(a), which would be brought into line with the English text. Decision: The WPR/RC34.Rl5). 1. 7
draft
resolution
was
adopted
(see
resolution
Correlation of the work of the World Health Assembly, the Executive Board and the Regional Committee (Document WPR/RC34/Conf. Paper No. 16) Decision: The draft resolution resolution WPR/RC34.R16). was adopted without comment (see
WPR/RC34 I SRI 9 page 4
1.8
Development of health research (Document WPR/RC34/Conf. Paper No. 17)
Dr MINNERS (United States of America) proposed the deletion of the word "main" in operative paragraph 2, to avoid giving the incorrect impression that the Western Pacific Advisory Committee on Medical Research's other reconmendations had not been approved. Secondly, as the Regional Director had consistently implemented the Advisory Committee's recommendations in the past, he proposed the addition of the words "to continue" before "to implement" in the fourth operative paragraph. Dr SUNG WOO LEE (Republic of Korea) proposed the deletion of the latter part of operative paragraph 1(2), from 11 such as for research" onwards. It seemed invidious to specify the five fields mentioned when a number of other fields had been discussed by the Committee. Dr MINNERS (United States of America) said that the mention of certain fields as examples in no way excluded others. Dr PAIK (Chief, Research Promotion and Development) said that the Rapporteurs had felt that some examples should be included. The Regional Committee had stressed the fields mentioned in the recent past, and new projects had been started in each of them. The CHAIRMAN observed that the paragraph acknowledged what had already been undertaken. was historical; it
Dr SUNG WOO LEE (Republic of Korea) withdrew his amendment. Decision~
The draft resolution, as amended by the representative of the United States, was adopted (see resolution WPR/RC34.Rl7).
1.9
Infant and young child nutrition (Document WPR/RC34/Conf. Paper No. 18) Decision~
The draft resolution resolution WPR/RC34.Rl8).
was
adopted
without
comment
(see
1.10
The chemotherapy of leprosy (Document WPR/RC34/Conf. Paper No. 19) to line 4 of the first preambular appropriate method" be . substituted all experts agreed with the dosage WHO Study Group. amended as necessary, was adopted
Dr DE SOUZA (Australia), referring paragraph, proposed that the words "an for the words "the only means", since not regimens and schedules recommended by the Decision~
The draft resolution, (see resolution WPR/RC34.Rl9).
1.11
Control of insect and rodent vectors travel (Document WPR/RC34/Conf. Paper No. 20)
in
international
air
and
sea
Dr REYNES (France) pointed out that in the body of the text reference was made on several occasions to "rodent and vector control", whereas the title mentioned only "insect vectors". The title should begin either with the words "Control of insect and rodent vectors" or with the words "Control of vectors".
WPR/RC34/SR/9 page 5
Dr DE SOUZA (Australia) thought that the addition of the words "and rodent" after the word "insect" in the title would obviate any need for changes in the body of the text. Dr TAPA (Tonga) proposed that the word "Melanesia" in the first 1 ine of operative paragraph 1(3) be replaced by "South Pacific". Dr DE SOUZA (Australia) said that i f the words ",in Melanesia," (or for that matter "in ' the South Pacific") in that line were dropped altogether, it would make the resolution applicable to changing patterns of vector spread in the Region, which would be preferable. Dr MINNERS (United States of Americ.a) supported the resolution with the two amendments proposed by the represent;ative of Australia, but said that he wished to make it clear that the United States was at present opposed to any spraying of aircraft with insecticide while passengers were on board. Decision: The draft resolution, resolution WPR/RC34.R20). 1.12 as amended, was adopted (see
Recruitment of international staff (Document WPR/RC34/Conf. Paper No. 1)
Dr TAPA (Tonga), introducing the resolution, said that subsection 15.1.4 of Chapter 15 of the Regional Director's report, entitled "The Regional Structure", revealed that 23 professional project staff posts were vacant. The Regional Director had explained the reasons for the situation and the steps the Regional Office was taking to cope with it. He (the speaker) had expressed concern at the adverse effect the critical shortage of project staff would have on their efforts to achieve health for all by the year 2000 and had asked whether the requirements regarding geographical distribution ,.1 aid down by the World Health Assembly could not be relaxed for that category of personnel. The resolution before them was a first step towards trying to solve the problem. He proposed that in the title of the resolution the words "field project" be replaced by "international" to bring it into line with the title of resolution WHA36.19. Dr CHRISTMAS (New Zealand) asked what selection criteria would remain if the geographical distribution requirements were waived. Mr MAN! (Personnel Officer), reply i ng to the repres e ntative o f New Zealand; said that the' selection criteria were educational qualifications, experience relevant to the post description or proposed duties, the requirements laid down by the World Health Assembly concerning geographical distribution and the need to promote the recruitment of women in WHO. An additional criterion was the candidate's acceptability to the host government. Often a candidate met a ll the criter ia except that o f geographical distribut i on. In the absence of further comments, adopted (see resolution WPR/RC34.R21). the resolution, as amended, was
WPR/RC34/SR/9 page 6
2.
TIME AND PLACE OF THE THIRTY-FIFTH AND TlHRTY-S!XTii SESSIONS OF THE REGIONAL COMMITTEE: Item 20 of the Agenda
The REGIONAL DIRECTOR said that he was sure the Committee would like the Representative of Fiji himself to inform it about the latest situation regarding the invitation of his Government to hold the thirty-fifth session in Suva. Dr BIUMAIWAI (Fiji) wished to confirm the invitation extended by his Government at the thirty-third session of the Regional Committee to hold the thirty-fifth session in Suva, Fiji. His Government had made the appropriate financial allocations and hoped that the dates chosen for the session would provide an opportunity for representatives to take part in field trips to some of the country's rural areas to see for themselves Fiji's problems and achievements in the field of health. He was sure that neighbouring islands would welcome the decision to hold a session of the Regional Committee for the fit"st time in the South Pacific area. The REGIONAL DIRECTOR, thanking the representative of Fiji for his Government's invitation, said that they were trying to coordinate the dates of all six regional committees' for various reasons' including the attendance of the Director-General, and the timely reporting of recommendations to Geneva for the preparation of Executive Board documentation. He therefore proposed, provided it was acceptable to the Government of Fiji, 5 to 11 September 1984 as the dates of the thirty-fifth session. In accordance with resolution WPR/RC24.Rl0, which stipulated that sessions should not be held outside Manila in two consecutive years, the thirty-sixth session in 1985 would be held in Manila. Dr BIUMAIWAI (Fiji) said that the proposed dates were acceptable to his Govermnent. Mr BOYER (United States of America) expressed some concern about the extra cost that holding the session in Fiji might represent for the Organization and asked what estimate had been made of additional expense to the Organization and how that expense was to be covered. He also suggested that, again in the interests of economy, it might be preferable to limit the session to the usual five days, from Monday to Friday, and for field trips to be organized on a voluntary basis on the weekend preceding or following the session. Dr XU SHOUREN (China), Dr CHRISTMAS (New Zealand), Dr SUNG WOO LEE (Republic of Korea), Mr LAVEA LIO (Samoa), Dr OGATUTI (Solomon Islands), Dr TAPA (Tonga) and Dr SPOONER (Vanuatu) expressed their warm appreciation of the invitation extended by the Government of Fiji and endorsed the dates proposed, which would provide an excellent opportunity to view Fiji's health facilities and life-style during field trips in the course of the intervening weekend. Dr REYNES (France) was most grateful to the Government of Fiji for its kind invitation. Like the representative of the United States of America,
WPR/RC34/SR/9 page 7
however, she had some qualms about the possible extra cost involved and would prefer the practice of a five-day Monday-to-Friday session to be maintained. Mr KAKAR (Director, Support Prograiilille) pointed out that, in the past, the countries in the Region that had hosted sessions of the Regional Committee had always absorbed any additional cost to the Organization. The Government of Fiji was fully aware of the situation and had taken appropriate steps. For certain items of expenditure such as per diem, Fiji would in fact be less costly than Manila. The proposed dates for the session, moreover, had been selected in the light of flight schedules. Mr BOYER (United States of America) said that he wished his delegation's views to be placed on record but, in view of the response of most members of the Committee to the Government of Fiji's invitation, would not press the point. The CHAIRMAN thanked the representative of Fiji and, in the absence of further comments, requested the Rapporteurs to prepare an appropriate draft resolution. 3. SELECTION OF TOPIC FOR TilE TECHNICAL DISCUSSIONS DURING THE THIRTY-FIFTH SESSION OF THE REGIONAL COMMITTEE! Item 19 of the Agenda (Document WPR/RC34/14 and Add.l)
The REGIONAL DIRECTOR said that the technical discussions on the topic chosen in 1982, "Health management systems development", would be held after the current session. The Committee had already adopted a resolution accepting the recommendations of the Sub-Committee on Technical Cooperation among Developing Countries, one of which was to consider cardiovascular diseases control as a subject for the technical discussions at a future session. Sufficient data should have been assembled on that subject to put it forward in 1984 for the 1985 discussions. In the meantime, the Committee needed to select a topic for the discussions at the thirty-fifth session, in 1984. Document WPR/RC34/14 contained three proposals, and a further proposal was contained in document WPR/RC34/14 Add .1. At the thirty-third session, there had also been some discussion as to whether appropriate technology in health, particularly solar technology, might be considered. Unfortunately, the subject of the technical discussions at the Thirty-eighth World Health Assembly in 1985 was not yet knotrn. Otherwise the Committee might have wished to start the practice, mentioned earlier, of preliminary discussion in conjunction with the Regional Committee. Dr NGUYEN DUY CUONG (Viet Nam) favoured the topic "Malnutrition, growth and development" and proposed its selection. Dr TAPA (Tonga) said that all the topics were relevant to the goal of health for all. He supported the proposal of the representative of Viet Nam. Dr SUNG WOO LEE (Republic of Korea) also supported that proposal.
WPR/RC34/SR/9 page 8
In the absence of further comment, the CHAIRMAN noted that there was agreement on that topic and asked the Rapporteurs to prepare an appropriate draft resolution. 4. STATEMENTS BY REPRESENTATIVES OF THE UNITED NATIONS, THE SPECIALIZED AGENCIES, AND INTERGOVERNMENTAL AND NONGOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS TN OFFICIAL RELATIONS WITH WHO; Item 21 of the Agenda statements were presented by the
At the invitation of the CHAIRMAN, following nongovernmental organizations;
International Dental Federation Medical Women's International Association International Council of Nurses International Planned Parenthood Federation World Federation of Mental Health International Federation of Ophthalmological Societies International Council of Societies of Pathology International Association for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Allied Professions League of Red Cross Societies Rehabilitation International International Federation of Sports Medicine The CHAIRMAN acknowledged statements received for circulation to Member States from the following; Asian Development Bank International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness International Hospital Federation International Union of Nutritional Sciences World Federation of Proprietary Medicine Manufacturers 5. CONSIDERATION OF DRAFT RESOLUTIONS The Committee considered the following draft resolutions: 5.1 Thirty-fifth and thirty-sixth sessions of the Regional Committee (Document WPR/RC34/Conf. Paper No. 21) Decision: The draft resolution resolution WPR/RC34.22). 5.2 was adopted without comment (see
Technical discussions (Document WPR/RC34/Conf. Paper No. 22) Decision: The draft resolution resolution WPR/RC34.R23). was adopted without comment (see
6.
RESOLUTION OF APPRECIATION Dr SPOONER (Vanuatu) presented a draft resolution of appreciation. Decision: The draft resolution resolution WPR/RC34.R24). was adopted by acclamation (see
WPR/RC34/SR/9 page 9
7.
CLOSURE OF THE SESSION:
Item 22 of the Agenda
The CHAIRMAN thanked representatives for their cooperation and declared the thirty-fourth session of the Regional Committee closed.
The meeting closed at 12.30 p.m