SEA/RC53/R3 EQUITY IN HEALTH AND ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE The Regional Committee, Recalling World Health Assembly resolution WHA51.7, adopting the World Health Declaration on Health for All Policy for the 21st Century; and also its own resolution SEA/RC50/R4 on the Declaration on Health Development in the South-East Asia Region in the 21st century, Recognizing the need for ensuring equity in access to health and health care, particularly for women, the poor and other vulnerable groups, Emphasizing the provision of essential health care for all, through appropriate health sector reform, and Having considered the report and recommendations of the Technical Discussions on "Equity in access to Public Health" (SEA/RC53/18), 1. ENDORSES the recommendations contained in the report; 2. URGES Member States: • to develop and/or refine the conceptual framework, indicators, methodologies and tools for measuring inequity in health and access to health care; to strengthen the national health information systems in collection and analysis of disaggregated data, particularly covering women, the poor and vulnerable groups, to enable formulation of policy options for enhancing equity in access to health care; to enhance accessibility and affordability of health care for the poor and vulnerable groups, and to intensify health sector reform efforts that contribute to reduction of inequity in access to health care, and
•
• •
3. REQUESTS the Regional Director: • to intensify cooperation and exchange of experiences with Member States and relevant health development partners in strengthening the national health information systems, with special emphasis on disaggregated data related to women, the poor and other vulnerable groups to help minimize inequity in health and access to health care, and
•
to support Member States in research studies to help improve equity in health and access to health care particularly for women, the poor and other vulnerable groups.
Seventh Meeting,
7 September 2000