WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION
REGIONAL OFFICE FOR THE WESTERN PACIFIC BUREAU R~GIONAL DU PACIFIQUE OCCIDENTAL P. O. Box 2'32, MANILA
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ORGANISATION MONDIALE DE LA SANTtt
REGIONAL COMMrTTEE Eleventh Session Manila
WP/RCll/6 Corr. 1
5 August 1960 ORIGINAL: ENGLISH
12-17 August 1960 Agenda Item 13
SECOND GENERAL PROORAMME OF WORK COVERING A SPECIFIC PERIOD
Since the draft proposed programme of work was distributed" further ,guidance has been received from Headquarters on the role of the Regions in the medical research programme. It is, therefore" suggested that the text on "Medical Research" " paragrsph 2.5 on page five of the document should be amended to read as follows: fI The research programme, being of a global nature, remains" as in the past" a headquarters responsibility. Regional staff should" however, be research conscious and bear the needs of the research programme continuously in mind. Thus they will be able to call the attention of Headquarters to pertinent information gathered and Headquarters will, from time to time" indicate 'What particular type of information is needed. Regions should also call the attention of Headquarters to particular problems 'Which in their opinion warrant research. They have also a role in the planning of field research, especially by assisting in the selection of suitable sites. In field research, the technical responsibilities of the Region will be significant, their extent depending on the particular nature of the projects.
speCial attention will continue to be given to health problems involving countries in this Region. In this connection" pilot projects in 'Which the findings can be used as a basis for largescale programmes should be encouraged."
WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION
ORGANISATION MONDIALE DE LA SANtE
REGIONAL OFFICE FOR THE WESTERN PACIFIC BUREAU REGIONAL DU PACIFIQUE OCCIDENTAL
REGIONAL COMMITTEE .,4
WP/RCll/6 7 June 1960 ORIGINAL: ENGJ.i[SH
Eleventh Session Manila 12-17 August 1960 Agenda Item 13
SECOND GENERAL PROGRAMME OF WORK COVERING A SPECIFIC PERIOD
1
INI'RODUOI'ION
1.1 The first regional general programme of work covering a specific period, 1957-1960, was adopted by the Regional Committee at its sixth session. l This general programme of work was planned to secure its adequate integration into the second general programme of work spproved by the Eighth World Health Assembly for the years 1957-1960. 2 1 .. 2 The Executive Board at its twenty-third session recommended th&t the second general programme of work should be extended until 1961.) The Twelfth World Health Assembly approved this resolution. 4 1.3 The Executive Board submitted to the Health Assembly for consideration and approval. a third general programme of york for the period 1962-1965 inclusive. This was adopted by the Thirteenth World Health Assembly.5 1.4 The Secretariat has prepared for consideration of the Committe a draft second general programme of work which has been planned so as to secure its integration into the third ge~aJ. programme of work approved by the Thirteenth World Health AsseDloly. 1.5 The Committee is invited to study this proposed second general programme of work and to decide whether it wishes to extend its first . general programme of work until 1961. This would mean that the second general programme of work of the Regional Comm:1ttee would cover exactly the same period as the third general programme of work of the World Health Assembly. /2 PROGRAMME FOR •••
lResolution 2Resolution ~esolution 4Resolution 5aesolution
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WP/RCll/6 page 2 2 SECOlID GE~1ERAL
PROGRAMME OF WORK
2.1 stren§thening of national health services 2.1.1 Four area representatives have been assigned in the Region to facilitate contacts with governments and representatives of other I organizations in their respective areas of assignment. Such contacts have been helpful in assessing the health needs of the countries and territories and have facilitated the planning and development of health programmes. It is planned to continue the services of the area representatives and to increase their re~onsibilities with a view to providing more effective assistance to governments in determining their needs and in planning for programmes which would strengthen the health services at all levels, taking into consideration' the available technical and financial resources of the countries concerned. 2.1.2 Particular attention should be given to the strengthening of national health administrations in the overall object of strengthening the national health services. The ~ qua ~ of a good health service consists of an adequate number of well-trained and e~erienced staff, a good organization supported by sound legislation and adequate financial support. If the administration is weak, it will be d1:f'ficul't to effect strengthening of health services, much less promote the integration and co-ordination of activities. 2.1.3 The integration of specialized activities into the overall health services of the country is an important ~ect in the strengthening of national. health services. It is desirable to integrate services at the start of a programme where a local health authority exists or as soon as local health services are established. Where this has not been done, integration should be planned carefully and effected as rapidly as possible. 2.1.4 strengthening of national health services requires close collaboration and co-ordination of efforts with other economic and social activities. ~e involvement of other government departments, such as those dealing 'With education, public works, research, social welfare, etc., would help in a great way to achieve a well-balanced and co-ordinated programme in the country. 2.1.5 It is proposed to give emphasis to the following: (i) the encouragement of more vigorous action against endemic diseases wherever these still exist by means of inter-country and inter-regional exchange of experience and through ~direct assistance to requesting countriesj (ii) the continuation of assistance in the organization of services for the rural population by the establishment of /health •••
WP/RCll/6 page 3 . health demonstration areas and integration of communicable disease control and other essential programmes into existing rural. health services; (iii) the expansion of maternal and child health programmes, attention being given to the promotion of maternal and child health as well as to the reduction of factors contributing to high mortality and morbidity among infants and young children; (iv) the expansion of activities in the field of environmental sanitation and special attention to community water supply programmes and human waste disposal programmes; (v) (Vi) the promotion of optimal levels of nutrition; the integration of health education in all health programmes;
(vii) the establishment of adequate public health laboratory services; (viii) 2.2 the improvement of vital and health statistics services.
Subjects of general international interest
There are still a number of activities which by their nature have to be dealt with centraJ.J.y by Headquarters. Among these are international epidemiology, the compilation and analysis of statistical materials, the establishment of international standards, and the publishing and keeping up-to-date of such publications as the International Pharmacopoea and.the International Statistical Classification of Diseases, Injuries and Causes of Death. The development of national arrangements in epidemiological, statistical and informational spheres varies considerably in the western Pacific Region. The regional organization can provide assistance in three ways: (1) by awarding fellowships to prepare health workers in the Region to make the most extensive and effective use of information and experience which is accumulating in regard to the above activities; (2) by providing short-term consultants to assist in the organization of training courses in statistics; and (3) by providing technical guidance to countries through the services of the regional statistician. There is a de:finite need to promote further studies on the use of radiation and isotopes in health care, including research, as well as on the health problems associated with the increasing widespread use of radiation and radioactive material and the development of atomic energy for peaceful uses. /2.3 Measures •••
WP/RCll/6 pase 4 2. ~ Measures against disease 2.~.1
Communicable disease
Assistance to governments in combatting communicable disease on a world-wide or regional basis should have a high priority. It is extremely important to intensify efforts towards malaria, smallpox and yaws eradication, and to provide adequate measures to prevent their reintroduction to countries 'Where these diseases have been l1m1nated. It will also be necessary to intensify activities against leprosy, tuberculosis, venereal diseases, virus diseases and the parasitic diseases affecting large proportions of populations. In sane diseases like tuberculosis and leprosy, the rehabilitation of patients 'Whose disease has been arrested deserves ~ecial attention. 2.~.2
Non.communicable disease
WHO should be prepared to provide assistance in the study, prevention and control of non.cormnunicable diseases such as degenerative diseases of the heart and circulation and malignant tumours as well as in the field of mental disorders and occ\Wational dis ases. 2.4 Education and training of professional and auxiliary personnel The education and training of national health personnel of all cat garies still remains a need of fundamental importance in the Region .and should continue to receive a high priority in the programme of work of the Organization. Whenever possible, training should be carried out within the Region to take advantage of the sim1larlty of health ' conditions; and as it is relatively more economical to train personnel within the Region, this would permit the training of more national staff with the funds available to the Organization. Proper planning, 1q)lementation and evaluation of education and training programmes are essential. It is of the greatest importance to carry out a proper assessment of the needs of the countries to permit an orderly development of a training scheme. It is equally important that efforts be made to sel.ect suitable candidates for training and to ensure that the personnel thus trained are retained and utilized to the fullest extent possible upon their return. Particular attention should be given to training of personnel, who, upon their return, could in turn ' tra.1n others. It will be necessary for WHO to continue during this specific period to develop its fellowShip program:nes, consultant services, assistance to educational institutions and exchange of scientific information, in order to help countries realize what their needs are and to promote such measures as are required by national and local conditions. It will also be desirable to continue the organization / of seminars •••
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wp/RCll/6·
of semi Dars, training courses and other types of inter-country meetings
to further the education and training programme. 2.5 Medical research The Regional Office should continue to stimulate research by approaching centres in the Region most qualified to work on particular problems. Assistance in this field can also be provided by the Organization by helping in the training of research workers, in the promotion of the exchange of scientific information, and in the planning of research programmes through consultative services. Special attention should be given to health problems involving countries in this region. In this connection, pilot projects in which the fin~ngs can be used as a basis for large-scale programmes should be encouraged.
2.6
Co-ordi~tion
of health with other social and economic activities
Co.ordination of health work means the concentration of all efforts ..from whatever source, so that they can be tully effective for achieving the stated objectives. During the specific period, the Regional Office should continue to promote the co.ordination of health with other social and economic activities. Working relations have been established by WHO with: (i) the United Nations, the specialized agencies and the International Atomic Energy Agency; (ii) other inter-governmental or governmental. agenCies engaged in international health work; (iii) non ..governmental'organizations interested in health problems; (iv) a large number of organizations and institutions, official and private, and individuals in many parts of the world. It should be incumbent upon the Regional. Office to endeavour to promote co-ordination of health elements in plans and programmes at the national or regional level and to co-operate at all levels with undertakings that contribute to health, by making available the benefit of WHO's technical resources and experience. The establishment by governments of national co-ordination committees in countries receiving aid from different agencies would facilitate this work. It is particularly important to emphasize that the Regional Office should familiarize itself' with the social and economic activities being planned or implemented in the Region, not only to assist in the health field but also to call the attention of other agencies to the public
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WP/RCll/6 6 . health needs or implications of certain development programmes. Among the programmes of concerted action in the economic and social fields, WHO should continue to promote further expansion of the health role in overaJ.l programmes of community development. Similarly, the Organization will mainta.:ln its interest in other broad programmes of concerted action, such as water resources and utilization, industrialization and productivity, urbanization and hOUSing, nutrition.
2.7
2.8 Evaluation The Regional Office will continue to P8\Y careful attention to the evaluation of the health activities being carried out with a 'view to assisting governments in the planning of expanded activities designed to strengthen health services. This too will provide a basis for the introduction of similar programmes in other countries so that early mistakes and failures m8\Y not be repeated and that aJ.l countries in the Region ~ share in the experience gained.