World Health Organization Regional Committee for the Eastern Mediterranean: second session: bejel

WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION RC2/DA/7 30 August 1949 ORIGINAL:ENGLISH REGIONAL COilMITTEE FOR THE EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN SECOND SESSION BEJEL At the first World Health Assenbly in 1948 it was proposed by the representative fron Iraq that provision be nude by WHO for the study of bejel in view of the significance of this'::;;;,~~: J to health and econo:cy in the Eastern Mcditerrnnenn region. Tho Execut:: Board of WHO placed tho quostion before the 1 WHO Expert Connittee on Venereal Diseasos, which, in view of its teros of refo- ronce and the predoninant non-sexual node of transoission of bejel, expressed the view that this disease night be oade 0. soporo.te activity of WHO, and that further :2 infornation o.s to its nature and oxtent was required. :3 Following a proliDino.ry survey Dado by WHO the Executive Board at~s third session requestod tho.t tho subject bo placed on tho agonda of tho Doeting ef tho Regional Connitteo of the Eastern Mediterranean in Septenber 1949 and that the WHO Export Connittee on Vonerea1 Diseas~eonsidor tho subject further 4 at its third session in October 1949. Fino,lly, the second it/orld He0.1th Assenbly eilphalizod the desirability of vmo being active in the field of treponenatosos, including bejel, 5 and decided that an Expert Connittee on Treponenatoses oight be formed in 1950 oonsisting of three syphilis experts fran the present WHO CoDDittee on Venoreo.l Diseases and six experts on other treponeoatoses. 1 Off.Rec.Wor1d H1th Org., ~ 10. 2 Doc.WHO/VD/12 :3 Doc.WHO/Epid/l8-WHO/VD/l6 4 Off.Rec.Wor1d Hlth Or,., 17,11 RC2/FP./7 Page 2 Pending this latter development for whi.chfunds may be made available under the. 1950vmO. supplemental budget, there is outlined in the attached document WHo/vn/23, an initial project for attacking bejel in the Eastern Mediterranean region. It is suggested that the Regional Committee for the Eastern Mediterranean may wish to consider the following draft resolution: APPROVES RECCOMMENDS The Regional Committee fur the Eastern Mediterranean Having considered: 1. The particular susceptibility of Treponemata to penicillin treatment: 2. The extent and the regional character of bejel: 3. The prevalence of the disease in infants and lower age groups; 4. The desirability of further study of the nature and extent of the problem, as well as 5. The social and economic necessity for developing practical control measures to effoctively combat the diseases on a large 'scale and 1. The action taken by WHO following the initial proposal of Iraq at the first World Health Assembly to include bejel among the activities of WHO; 2. The project outlined for attacking the problem in. the Eastern Mediterranean area and 1. That action be taken by the Regional Director, the Director General of WHO for further development and implementation of this project; 2. That budgetary provisions be made by WHO under the 1950 syphilis control progrannne to initiate the proposals; and 3. That appropriate action be taken for UNICEF participation - to the extent of furnishing supplios and equipment - for the activities of the demonstration areafhr' bejel oontrol, proposed in WHO/VD/23, and subsequent l.arge scale progra,mmQs·. nC;2/EM/7. Add.l 30 August 1949 ORIGINAL:ENGLISH llORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION PJmGIONAL COMMITTEE FOR THE ~~STERN MEDITERPJHgE\N SECOND SESSION SUGGESTED BUDGET FOR BEJEL PROJECT I92Q Resolutions for the Bejel p~oject must be completed by a tentative bud~t to be included in the 1950 Budget f: the Region. It is suggested that surveys may begin early in 1950 so that demonstration teams 1...1,y start operations in the second half of that year. It would be advisable to know exactly the location of the demonstration area, but this, of courso, will depend on the results of the preliminary survey and on the facilities and assistance offered by tho respective countries. Iraq, which originally called the attention of WHO to the Bejel :~oblem, may prove a suitablo country for the implemontation of the ... programme. It is hoped that at least somo local help may be received in terms of batallc~i~ auxiliary personnel and a laboratory, which may be used for investigation ~nd routine work. Should thero be no available laboratory, item 3 of the Budget will ~ave to be adjusted. In order to obtain the best results from tho Bejel p_'ojeat" it is suggested ~ho.t personnel from tho V.D. Sections of tho Public Health Services of Iraq, Lebanon Syria and other countries where Bejel is a problem, should'attend the V.D. Demonstration In Egypt during the 2nd half of 1949 or 1st half of 1950, so that when the Bejel team oommences, thero will bo enough trained personnel to assist and carry on the work under eo n .. tiona.l programme. TENTl .. TIVE BUDGllT 1. Field Survey, 4 months 1950 2. Demonstration Work, Second Half 1950 Team Equipment, Supplies 3. Laboratory Centre Investigations $ 8,000 15,000 15,000 5,000 $ 43,000