WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION FIFTY-SEVENTH WORLD HEALTH ASSEMBLY Provisional agenda item 2 A57/2 1 April 2004
Reports of the Executive Board on its 112th and 113th sessions 1. The Executive Board held its 112th session on 29 May 2003, and its 113th session from 19 to 23 January 2004. A report of the main outcomes follows.
112th SESSION (29 May 2003) 2. The Board elected Dr K. Afriyie, member for Ghana, as Chairman. It adopted resolution EB112.R1, deciding to amend its Rules of Procedure as proposed by the Ad hoc open-ended intergovernmental working group to review the working methods of the Executive Board. The resolution also recommended a resolution to the Fifty-seventh World Health Assembly containing a proposed revision of Rule 72 and resolving to clarify the use of gender in the Basic Documents. 3. Members agreed to defer further consideration of the report of the Advisory Committee on Health Research on genomics and world health until the 113th session, on the understanding that a virtual consultation on the draft resolution would take place in the meantime. 4. The Board’s discussions also covered the revised procedure for the International Nonproprietary Names, human organ and tissue transplantation, the proposal for a “.health” Internet domain name and meetings of expert committees and study groups.
113th SESSION (19-23 January 2004) 5. The Board met under the chairmanship of Dr Afriyie, and adopted the following nine resolutions that contained resolutions for consideration by the Health Assembly: Surveillance and control of Mycobacterium ulcerans disease (Buruli ulcer) (EB113.R1) Health promotion and healthy lifestyles (EB113.R2) Road safety and health (EB113.R3) Genomics and world health (EB113.R4) Human organ and tissue transplantation (EB113.R5) Control of human African trypanosomiasis (EB113.R6)
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Draft global strategy on diet, physical activity and health (EB113.R7) Reproductive health: draft strategy to accelerate progress towards the attainment of international development goals and targets (EB113.R11) Family and health in the context of the tenth anniversary of the International Year of the Family (EB113.R12). It also adopted six other resolutions, namely the appointment of the Regional Directors for South-East Asia and the Western Pacific (EB113.R8 and EB113.R10, respectively), expression of appreciation to Dr Uton Muchtar Rafei (EB113.R9), the disestablishment of the WHO/UNICEF/UNFPA Coordinating Committee on Health (EB113.R15), collaboration with nongovernmental organizations (EB113.R14), and confirmation of the extension of the trial period for paternity leave (EB113.R13). 6. Members also took nine decisions, including the outcome of the review of nongovernmental organizations in official relations with WHO (EB113(1)), awards of prizes and a fellowship (EB113(2)-(4)), the approval of the statutes of the State of Kuwait Health Promotion Foundation (EB113(7)), the approval of the establishment and statutes of the State of Kuwait Prize for the Control of Cancer, Cardiovascular Diseases and Diabetes in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EB113(8)), and EB113(9), recommending that the Health Assembly consider amending the scale of assessment to be applied in 2005. 7. Topics and issues discussed by members included the Director-General’s report, HIV/AIDS and the revision of the International Health Regulations, for which a revised text would be prepared after further comments from Member States and regional consultations. The Board also considered reports on the quality and safety of medicines (including blood products) and the WHO medicines strategy, strengthening health systems, particularly for primary health care, and the influence of poverty on health. They noted various matters for information, including the epidemic of SARS and an update in discussion on the recent outbreak of avian influenza, and welcomed the WHO-UNICEF strategic plan for, and progress in, reducing measles mortality. They accepted the recommendations of the WHO Advisory Committee on Variola Virus Research, in particular that pertaining to the destruction of viral isolates whose retention had no scientific justification. Members were also updated on progress in eradicating poliomyelitis in the six countries remaining endemic for the disease. 8. The Board also noted reports on progress in the work on patient safety and protecting, promoting and supporting appropriate infant and young child nutrition and implementing the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes. They were assured that their comments on any possible link between breast-milk substitutes and chronic diseases would be taken into account when the document was reviewed. The Board further noted the report on the High Level Forum on Health, Nutrition and Population-Related Millennium Development Goals. 9. Members noted the information on the terms of reference for a review group on intellectual property rights, innovation and public health, in response to resolution WHA56.27. They were assured that members of the Commission on Intellectual Property Rights, Innovation and Public Health would be appointed in the light of the Board’s suggestions. 10. Programme and budget matters discussed included progress on the Programme budget 2004-2005, and regular budget allocations to regions. Members were assured that their comments on the latter would be taken into consideration in the preparation of the report to the Health Assembly in May. They also noted the report on the status of collection of assessed contributions.
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11. With regard to staffing matters, the Board noted the recruitment strategy integrating gender and geographical balance, with its proposed plan of action for implementation, and the statement by the representative of the WHO staff associations. 12. Turning to other management matters, the Board noted the reports of the Programme Development Committee, the Administration, Budget and Finance Committee and the Audit Committee. Pursuant to resolution EB112.R1, the Board reviewed its committee system. Most members favoured merging these three committees into one single committee and requested that draft terms of reference and options for membership be drawn up for consideration by the Board at its 114th session. 13. The Board noted the reports of the Joint Inspection Unit and the summary of progress made by WHO in implementing earlier recommendations. The identification of a WHO focal point within the Unit was welcomed. 14. After discussion of the options for the timing and duration of governing body sessions, members agreed to maintain the current arrangements on the understanding that the agenda of the May session should be more substantive and that the January session should be held as late in the month as possible. 15. Full texts of resolutions and decisions adopted by the Board at both sessions are contained in documents EB112/2003/REC/1 and EB113/2004/REC/1.
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