Tuberculosis prevention and control (Resolution)

REPORT OF THE REGIONAL COMMITTEE 11 (3) to strengthen the epidemiological surveillance of STIs, HN infection, AIDS and related bloodborne infections; 2. REQUESTS the Regional Director: (1) to further strengthen technical collaboration with Member States, in particular those facing increasing numbers of infections, in the prevention and control of STIs and HN I AIDS, including guidance on developing appropriate legislation, and to strengthen the technical capability within WHO; (2) to continue to improve the regional surveillance system for STIs, HN, AIDS and related bloodborne infections; (3) to continue to strengthen WHO participation in UNAIDS theme group activities at country level, and coordination with UNAIDS at regional and national levels; (4) to encourage and facilitate the exchange of social and behavioural research to enable prevention measures to be targeted more effectively; (5) to continue to identify and mobilize resources for STI and HNIAIDS activities in collaboration with other partners; (6) to continue to report annually to the Regional Committee on the situation of STIs and HIV I AIDS in the Region and on collaboration with UNAIDS. Fifth meeting, 16 September 1999 WPRlRC50/SRl5 WPRlRC50.R5 TUBERCULOSIS PREVENTION AND CONTROL The Regional Committee, Noting that tuberculosis kills more youths and adults than any other infectious disease in the world; Noting further that tuberculosis is re-emerging as a major public health problem in the Region, as demonstrated by the steady increase in notified tuberculosis cases during the last decade and the fact that 29% of global tuberculosis cases are found in the Western Pacific Region; Noting that political commitment has not yet been translated into increased resources for tuberculosis control; Recognizing that tuberculosis has far-reaching socioeconomic impacts, especially in developing countries, because the disease mainly affects the poor and people of productive age; Recognizing further that tuberculosis is also a serious public health problem in newly industrialized and developed countries; 12 REGIONAL COMMITTEE: FIFTIETH SESSION Acknowledging that the directly-observed treatment, short course (DOTS) strategy is the most cost-effective way of controlling tuberculosis, saving the lives of patients and preventing the emergence of drug resistance; Expressing concern that only 46% of notified tuberculosis cases in the Region were enrolled in DOTS programmes in 1998; Expressing further concern at the negative impact of HIV on tuberculosis in some countries of the Region; 1. DECLARES a 'Tuberculosis crisis' in the Western Pacific Region; 2. URGES Member States: (1) to give high priority, and to allocate sufficient resources, to strengthening tuberculosis control; (2) to aim to increase the percentage of tuberculosis patients enrolled in DOTS programmes so that the regional targets of 60% of notified cases to be treated by DOTS by 2001 and 100% by 2005 are achieved; (3) to achieve and maintain a cure rate of at least 85% by ensuring high-quality DOTS implementation, as a minimum; (4) to implement surveillance for drug-resistant tuberculosis by 2001; (5) to establish regular surveillance and reporting of the impact of HIV on tuberculosis by 2001, if this is appropriate; 3. REQUESTS the Regional Director: (1) to give tuberculosis control high priority and to make "Stop TB in the Western Pacific Region" a special project of the Western Pacific Regional Office; (2) to take all possible steps to raise awareness of the tuberculosis problem based on evidence from epidemiological studies and cost-benefit and socioeconomic analysis and to take all necessary measures to influence leading political figures to translate political commitment into increased financial resources; (3) to strengthen technical collaboration with Member States in order to introduce and expand the DOTS strategy in the Region in the context of health sector reform and poverty alleviation; (4) to strengthen partnerships with other technical and funding agenCIes In the Western Pacific Region; (5) to report annually on progress in tuberculosis control to the Regional Committee. Seventh Meeting, 17 September 1999 WPRJRC50/SRl7