SEA/RC63/R3
COORDINATED APPROACH TO PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF ACUTE DIARRHOEA AND RESPIRATORY INFECTIONS The Regional Committee, Recalling and reaffirming World Health Assembly resolutions WHA29.63 on child health, WHA56.21 on the right of children to the highest attainable standard of health and access to health care, and WHA63.26 on the treatment and prevention of pneumonia to achieve the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) 4 on child mortality reduction, and the report to the WHO Executive Board on cholera (Document EB127.4), as well as its own resolutions SEA/RC30/R11 on infant and child mortality, and SEA/RC32/R1 and SEA/RC42/R3 emphasizing the need to give priority attention to the neediest sections of the population, Noting that acute diarrhoea and respiratory infections are still the two leading causes of child mortality and morbidity and the difficulty being faced in achieving the MDG on child mortality in several Member States of the Region, and that the high burden of these diseases is borne not just by young children, and that the outbreaks of acute watery diarrhoea and pneumonic illnesses with high mortality are common occurrences across all ages in many Member States, Recognizing that the major burden of these health problems is borne by remote, marginalized and poor communities and that safe, effective and affordable solutions have been available for decades but have not reached those in need, and that a reduction in infant and child
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mortality and morbidity rates is essential for improving the quality of life and productivity of the people, Further noting that a regional strategy for prevention and control of acute diarrhoea and respiratory infections could help to reduce the burden of disease and accelerate progress towards MDG 4 in the South-East Asia Region, Affirming that revitalization of essential health services at the community level by strengthening primary health care is vital for sustainable progress in achieving the MDG, and Acknowledging calls from Member States to address the issue of the high burden of acute diarrhoea and respiratory infections in the Region and the importance of a coordinated approach to integrate health promotion, disease prevention and early and appropriate case management at both community and facility levels for a sustainable reduction in morbidity and mortality across all age groups, 1. URGES Member States: (1) to develop a coordinated approach based on the country health systems context for the prevention and control of acute diarrhoea and respiratory infections; (2) to give this issue the highest priority on the health agenda and apply integrated approaches of prevention and control of diarrhoea and respiratory infections, including related issues such as water, sanitation and indoor air pollution, as one of the key interventions in achieving the MDG 4 target ; (3) to undertake a situational analysis of the burden of acute diarrhoea and respiratory infections in their respective countries; (4) to mobilize and invest additional resources to implement the strategy; and (5) to conduct operational research and generate evidence on effective interventions that promote early care-seeking and improved family practices; and 2. REQUESTS the Regional Director: (1) to provide support to Member States in developing and applying the strategy of a coordinated and integrated approach for prevention and control of acute diarrhoea and respiratory infections;
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(2) to provide technical support to Member States in conducting the necessary training activities, operational research, and monitoring and evaluation of the implementation of the strategy; and (3) to work with development partners to mobilize and invest additional resources for the strategy. Fifth meeting, 10 September 2010
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