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WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION
ORGANISATION MONOIALE • DE LA SANTE
REGIONAL OFFICE FOR THE WESTERN PACIFIC BUREAU R~GIONAL DU PACIFIQUE OCCIDENTAL
REGIONAL COMMITTEE Thirtieth session Singapore 2-8 October 1979 Provisional agenda item lS.2
WPR!RC30/13 1 August 1979 ORIGINAL: ENGLISH
CORRELATION BETWEEN THE WORK OF THE WORLD HEALTH ASSEMBLY AND THE REGIONAL COMMITTEES Consideration of Resolutions of the Thirty-second World Health Assembly and the Executive Board at its sixty-third session The following resolutions of the World Health Assembly and the Executive Board are submitted for the attention of the Committee: 1. Development of the mental health programme (resolution WHA32.l3) Attention is drawn to operative paragraphs one and two. 2. Workers' health programme (resolution WHA32.l4) Attention is drawn to operative paragraphs three and four. 3. Development and coordination of biomedical and health services research (resolution WHA 32.15)
Attention is drawn to operative paragraphs one and two. A report on the 'progress of research activities in the Western Pacific Region is contained in document WPR!RC30/17 and will be discussed under provisional agenda item 19. 4. Review of the medium-term progran1Ille for the promotion of environmental health (resolution WHA32.31) Attention is drawn to operative paragraphs three aud four. 5. Smallpox eradication (resolutions WHA32.32 and EB63.R5) Attention is drawn to operative paragraph four of resolution EB63.RS. 6. Respiratory diseases (resolution WHA32.33)
Attention is drawn to operative paragraph three. "Acute Respiratory Infections" forms the topic of the Technical Presentation which will take place during the thirtieth session of the Regional Committee. 7. Leprosy (resolution WHA32.39) Attention is drawn to operative paragraph one.
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WPR /RC3 0 /13 page 2 8. Development of the WHO programme on alcohol-related (resolution WHA32.40) Attention is drawn to operative paragraph two. 9. Action programme on essential drugs (resolutions ~~32.4l problem~
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and EB63.R20)
Attention is drawn to opera tive paragraph four of resolu Uon WHA32.41. 10.
,mo long-term programme for maternal and child health (resolution WHA32.42) Attention is drawn to operative paragraph one. Proposed programme budget for the financial period 1980-l9Rl: 2rogramme review: traditional medicine programme (resolution EB63.R4) Voluntary fund for health promotion (resolution EB63.R24) Attention is drawn to operative paragraph two.
11. 12.
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Action in respect of international conventions on narcotic and psychotropic substances (resolution EB63.R29) Attention is drawn to operative paragraph one.
14.
WHO's human health and environment programme - evaluation of the effects of chemicals on health (resolution EB63.Rl9)
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THIRTY-SECOND WORLD HEALTH ASSEMBLY
WHA32.13 22 May 1979
DEVELOPMENT OF THE MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAMME
The Thirty-second World Health Assembly, Recalling resolutions WHA28.84, WHA29.21 and WHA30.45 which noted with concern the magnitude and severity of psychosocial stresses and their effects on the health of populations, as well as the importance of psychosocial factors in health and health care; Recalling that the Conference of Alma-Ata recommended that primary health care should include as one of its elements the promotion of mental health, linking mental health with the training of primary care personnel, provision of health services and sharing of research; Considering that, in planning for Health for All by the Year 2000 and in implementing such plans, due emphasis needs to be given to the promotion of mental health and psychosocial development, including identification of research in both areas; Noting that the response of Member States to provide voluntary contributions to the Mental Health Programme has been insufficient to provide the final1ckal and technical means necessary for the full implementation of the resolutions referred to above, 1. THANKS those governments, foundations, industries, labour organizations and nongovernmental organizations, who have made contributions to the programme thus allowing for priority activities to be initiated; 2. URGES Member States who have not yet contributed to this programme to make every effort to do so; 3. INVITES foundations, industry, labour organizations, nongovernmental organizations and individuals to' support wHo in its efforts to lay emphasis on the development of the Mental Health Programme; 4. DECIDES to establish a Special Account for the Mental Health Programme as a sub-account of the Voluntary Fund for Health Promotion; 5. REQUESTS the Director-General to submit a report to a future World Health Assembly on further developments in regard to this programme and the support received for it.
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TWelfth plenary meeting, 22 May 1979 A32/VR/12
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THIRTY-SECOND WORLD HEALTH ASSEMBLY
WHA32.14 22 May 1979
WORKERS' HEALTH PROGRAMME The Thirty-second World Health Assembly, Havin Programme;
y considered
the Report of the Director-General on the Occupational Health
Noting with concern the serious increase in occupational and work-related diseases in many parts of the world where at the same time occupational health services are either non-existent, weak or isolated from general health services; Noting further that the health of the worker is a major factor in the well-being of the family and community and has a considerable impact on human productivity and socioeconomic development; Convinced that the field of occupational health calls fo.r a broad multidisc-iplinary approach; Recalling that the Alma-Ata Declaration refers to bringing health care as close as possible to where people live and work, and convinced that this will require the use of resources in industry and other economic activities to enhance health promotion; Aware of the opportunities that work has in health promotion and that these have not as yet been fully exploited for the improvement of the health of nations; Concerned at the uncontrolled introduction of some industrial and agricultural processes with physical, chemical, biological and psychosocial hazards, especially in developing countries where lower standards of health may further aggravate the situation; Stressing that in many countries enterprises and employers do not provide adequate resources and facilities for the development of occupational health services, while there is inadequate legislation in this field; Aware that the health and well-being of the families of workers have a profound influence on the health of workers; Noting that migrant workers have particular health and Gocial problems as do their families both in the countries of employment and their countries of origin; Noting that the Report of the Director-General contains important elements and proposes new programme areas requiring action by WHO, as well as coordination within WHO and with ILO and other United Nations agencies and organizations; Noting also that technology and standards in occupational health are in need of coordination and adaptation to conditions in developing countries, and that the rapid increase of toxic agents and biological hazards in work-places and of occupational hazards require more intensive efforts by WHO and countries;
I Document A32!WP!1.
32.14 ge 2 THANKS the Director-General for his report and efforts in developing this programme; CONFIRMS its conviction that workers' health is an essential programme in which WHO Ihould maintain its leading role; I.
REITERATES those recommendations and requests addressed to Member States and to the lirector-General in resolution WHA29.57 and other related resolutions; URGES Member States (1) to give special attention to working people by developing appropriate occupational health care in work-places as a contribution to the attainment of health for all by the year 2000; (2) to develop legislation aimed at increasing the provision of resources by enterprises and employers for such occupational health care, and at meeting the special health and related social needs of migrant workers and their families; (3) to strengthen coordination between health care services for workers, where they exist, and general health services; (4) to develop and strengthen occupational health institutions and to provide measures for preventing hazards in work-places, for the setting of standards and for the research and training in occupational health;
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REQUESTS the Director-General (1) to prepare a programme of action to deal with the new dimension contained in his report,l and to present a progress report to the Thirty-third World Health Assembly; (2) to strengthen WHO occupational health resources so as to activate more effective technical cooperation with Member States and to collaborate in setting occupational health standards and guidelines; (3) to initiate appropriate mechanisms for seeking extrabudgetary resources and voluntary contributions to implement and strengthen the Workers' Health Progranune and to report thereon to a future session of the Assembly; and (4) to strengthen cooperation and collaboration, in respect of WHO's Workers' Health Programme, with 110 and other organizations of the United Nations system such as UNEP and UN1DO, as well as other organizations, and to report thereon to the Thirty-third World Health Assembly.
Twelfth plenary meeting, 22 May 1979 A32/VR/12
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1 Document A32/WP/l.
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THIRTY-SECOND WORLD HEALTH ASSEMBLY
WHA32.15 22 May 1979
DEVELOPMENT AND COORDINATION OF BIOMEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH
The Thirty-second World Health Assembly, Recalling resolutions WHA25.60, WHA27.6l, WHA28.70, WHA29.64, WHA30.40 and WHA3l.35, as well as the Executive Board's decision at its sixty-third session in January 1979 concurring with the conclusions of its Programme Committee on the review of biomedical and health services research;l Considering that biomedical and health services research and application of its results will be among the decisive factors for the attainment of the goal of "Health for all by the year 2000"; Noting:
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(a) the progress made in strengthening national and regional research capabilities and in establishing research coordination mechanisms at regional and global levels; (b) that WHO's research priorities are now being defined in accordance with the policy directives of the governing bodies by groups of national scientists, e.g. the global and regional Advisory Committees on Medical Research, and other mechanisms;
(c) that the Director-General is preparing a report on the research activities of the Organization including their management; (d) that major portions of the Organization's regular budget for research are invested in research in, or for the benefit of, developing countries; 1. URGES Member States to: (1) identify and pursue,in collaboration with WHO as appropriate, research that is most relevant to their own major health problems, and establish effective f9cal points for national coordination of such research; (2) intensify technical cooperation among themselves for their mutual benefit in mat'ters' of biomedical and health services research of common interest; (3) make even greater use of WHO's research development and promotion initiatives and its regional and global research coordination mechanisms; (4) facilitate a continuing expansion of the participati.on and collaboration of national experts and institutions in WHO-coo17dinated research activities; 2. CALLS UPON Member States and bilateral, ffillltilnt2ral p:Ld voluntary agencies, to support these initiatives by making contributions tu WHO-coordinated research as an important part of the strategies for attaining ilHealth for all by the yt::ar 2000"; 1
Documents EB63/48, page 40, and EB63/49, Appendix 2.
WHA32.1S page 2 3. REQUESTS the Director-General to accelerate the further development and application of activities which will: (1) ~nhance national research capability through institutional strengthening and training of national scientists, including the important area, of health services research; (2) support national research centres in developing methodologies for conducting health services research and in establishing principles and methods for research management, including planning, programming, coordination, evaluation and practical application; (3) maximize the utilization of national research centres, particularly in developing countries, for collaborative research activities with WHO, in order to guarantee a just geographical distribution of collaborating centres and cooperating experts; facilitate collaborative research on health problems which transcend national and regional boundaries; (4) ow
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(S) result in the finalization of a comprehensive medium-term programme with respect to the Organization's research promotion end development efforts; (6) and strengthen the coordinating role of the global ACMR and its administrative support;
(7) ensure that research-related policies of the Regional Committees, Executive Board and the World Health Assembly are effectively translated into national, regional and global research strategies for the attainment of "Health for all by the year 2000"; 4. FURTHER REQUESTS the Director-General to ensure the active participation of WHO in the United Nations Conference on Science and Technology for Development to be held in Vienna in 1979 in order to ensure the inclusion of health in priorities for scientific and technological development. •
An/VR/n
Twelfth plenary meeting, 22 May 1979
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THIRTY-SECOND WORLD HEALTH ASSEMBLY
WHA32.31 25 May 1979
REVIEW OF THE MEDIUM-TERM PROGRAMME FOR THE PROMOTION OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
The Thirty-second World Health Assembly, Having noted the global medium-term programme for the promotion of environmental health, the comments of the Executive Board thereon, and resolution EB63.R18; 1. 2. 3. COMMENDS the Director-General on his report; ENDORSES the programme as presented; URGES Member States: (1) to continue close collaboration with WHO in achieving the objectives and targets set out in the medium-term programme; (2) to give particular consideration to the programming of WHO resources at the country level for implementing this programme, ensuring in this process that the priorities established collectively by the Health Assembly are fully taken into acc.ount; (3) to further ensure that in the planning and implementing of environmental health programmes full advantage is taken of multisector and multiagency participation;
4.
INVITES the WHO regional committees to give appropriate attention to this matter; REQUESTS the Director-General: (1) to continue to give due attention to the relationship between health and environmental factors as a basis for the future development of this programme; (2) to implement the programme, giving particular attention to: (a) directing available resources at all levels within the Organization towards the targets set forth in the medium-term programme; (b) taking the necessary steps to translate the medium-term programme into subsequent programme budgets, including the mobilizing of additional resources; (c) coordinating activities in this field with other priorities of the Organization with a view to meeting needs of both the developing and the developed countries, and attaining the goal of health for all by the year 2000; (d) coordination with other international intergovernmental and nongovernmental organizations involved.
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Fourteenth plenary meeting, 25 May 1979 A32/VR/14
THIRTY-SECOND WORLD HEALTH ASSEMBLY
WHA32.32 25 May 1979 SMALLPOX ERADICATION
The Thirty-second World Health Assembly, Having examined the report of the Director-General on the smallpox eradication programme; Stressing that the achievement of global smallpox eradication is the result of the commitment of all nations involved in this programme;
1. ENDORSES resolution EB63.R5, including the recommendations of the Global Commission for the Certification of Smallpox Eradication annexed thereto; 1 2.
REQUESTS the Director-General: (1) to consider how best to give full recognition, during the Thirty-third World Health Assembly, to the achievement of global eradication of smallpox, including a review of the lessons learned from the programme;
(2) to present a plan to that Health Assembly for the implementation of measures to ensure the permanence of smallpox eradication in the post-eradication era.
Fourteenth plenary meeting, 25 May 1979 A32/VR/14
1 Document EB63/48.
Sixty-third Session
EB63.RS 17 January 1979
PROPOSED PROGRAMME BUDGET FOR THE FINANCIAL PERIOD 1980-1981: PROGRAMME REVIEW SMALLPOX ERADICATION PROGRAMME
The Executive Board, Having examined the report of the Director-General on the smallpox eradication programme; 1 Recognizing that, while global certification is proceeding satisfactorily, certain measures must be taken by the Organization to ensure that smallpox has been permanently eradicated; 1. CONGRATULATES those countries and areas where smallpox eradication has been certified by the Global Commission; 2. COMMENDS the Director-General on establishing a Global Commission which has produced such a comprehensive review on the status of global certification; 3. ENDORSES the recommendations made by the Global Commission at its first meeting as presented by the Director-General and set out in. the annex to this resolution, including the need for continuing surveillance activities as recommended by the Global Commission; 4. URGES all institutions still retaining stocks of variola virus to destroy or transfer them to WHO collaborating centres with adequate safety facilities.
Twelfth meeting, 17 January 1979 EB63/SR/12
1 Document EB63/WP/l.
EB63.RS page 2 ANNEX
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GLOBAL COMMISSION FOR THE CERTIFICATION OF SMALLPOX ERADICATION: RECOM!£NDATIONS The recommendations made by the Global Commission for the Certification of Smallpox Eradication at its first meeting, held in Geneva from 4 to 7 December 1978, were as follows: l 1. Global certification of smallpox eradication
1.1 Countries preparing for certification by International Commissions should be encouraged to proceed with the timely preparation of the necessary documentation. 1.2 WHO should proceed with the collection and review of the additional information sought from China, Democratic Kampuchea, Iraq, Madagascar and South Africa. The requirements for certification are described in the comments about each of these countries. Global Commission members should be kept informed of further developments. 1.3 All countries which have not yet submitted formal declarations of freedom from smallpox should be requested to do so as promptly as possible. 2. The Birmingham smallpox outbreak
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2.1 An ad hoc committee should be established to review the report of the governmental inquiry into this outbreak and report to the Global Commission at its next h~eting. 3. Orthopoxviruses
3.1 WHO should support studies applying the new techniques of DNA analysis to variola virus and related orthopoxviruses. 3.2 A Study Group on Orthopoxviruses should be appointed by WHO, and this group should meet periodically. 3.3 White pock clones (reported as derived from monkeypox virus) should be further characterized by polypeptide and DNA analysis and attempts should be made to confirm these findings in other centres as soon as possible, under WHO's coordination. 3.4 The proposed epidemiological study in Zaire, a project in which WRO is cooperating, and which is designed to investigate the natural history of monkeypox and whitepox viruses, was endorsed. 3.5 Selected Member States and research institutions should be encouraged to lend their full support to the recommendations concerning orthopoxviruses.
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4.
Retention of stocks of variola virus and safety in laboratories holding them
4.1 WHO should continue its efforts to reduce the number of laboratories retaining stocks of variola virus with the objective that by 1980 not more than four laboratories should retain stocks. These laboratories should be WHO collaborating centres with maximum containment facilities. The full collaboration of the national health administrations concerned is needed for this action.
1 Document WHO/SE/78.l32.
EB63.R5
page 3 Annex 4.2 An expert group to report to the Global Commission should be convened by WHO during 1979, to investigate whether retention of stocks of variola virus is justified after global smallpox eradication has been completed and, if it is justified, to identify the need for and nature of any research to be conducted. 4.3 Although national governments have the responsibility of ensuring safety in laboratories retaining variola virus, each such laboratory should be visited at intervals of not more than two years by WHO staff and consultants in order to evaluate its safety on the basis of WHO guidelines. 1 4.4 WHO should periodically publish the names of all laboratories with stocks of variola virus, indicating which laboratories are retaining virus for purely archival purposes and which are conducting research, and whether they meet WHO safety standards. 5. Vaccination policy
5.1 As more than one year has elapsed since the last known naturally occurring cases of smallpox and smallpox eradication has already been certified ih most countries, the Global Commission considers that routine vaccination is unnecessary, except in countries of, and adjacent to, the Horn of Africa, and in those countries awaiting certification by an International Commission. The Global Commission recognizes that between the present time and final certification each government will need to assess its routine vaccination policy, depending on its own assessment of the risks and benefits. 5.2 Since there is no smallpox-infected country anywhere in the world, smallpox vaccination certificates should not be required for international travel. 5.3 In those countries where human cases of monkeypox have been detected the incidence and transmissibility of this disease are so low, even amongst unvaccinated persons, that there is no justification for wide-scale vaccination. The complications and deaths associated with countrywide vaccination would be expected to exceed those due to the monkeypox infections. 5.4 All persons entering laboratories holding variola virus stocks should be revaccinated every year. Routine vaccination of persons who do not enter such laboratories is unnecessary. 6. Vaccine reserves
6.1 Provision should be made by WHO for storage in Geneva, New Delhi and Toronto of a total of approximately 300 million doses of smallpox vaccine and materials needed for emergency use. 6.2 WHO should seek information about the location, size and potential availability of national stocks of smallpox vaccine. 7. Surveillance after global certification
7.1 To assist countries in investigating reports of suspected cases of smallpox WHO should maintain selected WHO collaborating centres for examination of laboratory specimens. 7.2 To further assist in investigating such reports WHO should maintain a current list of epidemiologists with knowledge of smallpox who could be available at short notice to 8s8ist. where necessary with the prompt investigation of rumours.
1 Document SME/77.2.
EB63.RS
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7.3 WHO should continue to fund and support a human monkey pox surveillance programme, particularly in Zaire, for at least five additional years (1980-1985). 7.4 Other African countries, especially those where human monkeypbx has occurred in the past, should be encouraged to continue active surveillance of patients with fever and rash to promote the recognition of cases of monkeypox. Specimens should be obtained from suspected cases for laboratory investigation. 7.5 WHO should retain or recruit staff, located at WHO headquarters, to ensure the investigation of all suspected cases of smallpox. Additional staff responsibilities would include the maintenance of vaccine reserves, the monitoring of safety in laboratories retaining variola virus, the coordination of research on orthopoxviruses and the supervision of all surveillance activities. An additional responsibility would be participation in the documentation of the smallpox eradication programme. 8. Documentation of the smallpox eradication programme be prepared, to December 1979, for of full provided.
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8.1 Complete documentation of the smallpox eradication programme should provide necessary information for the meeting of the Global Commission in Member States, and for other purposes. It is recognized that completion documentation will extend beyond 1979 and continued WHO support should be
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THIRTY-SECOND WORLD HEALTH ASSEMBLY
WHA32.33 25 May 1979
RESPIRATORY DISEASES The Thirty-second World Health Assembly, Concerned about the high morbidity and mortality from respiratory diseases in particular because acute respiratory infections are among the most important causes of death in infants and young children; Recognizing that respiratory diseases constitute a serious socioeconomic and public health problem in both developing and developed countries since they cause excessive absence from work and premature invalidity, draw substantially on medical care services, and, therefore, call heavily upon social and health insurances and cause considerable losses to national economies; Recalling the effect of both active and passive smoking on the development of respiratory diseases, especially on their chronic form; Endorsing the priority given to these problems in WHO's Sixth General Programme of Work; Noting with satisfaction the action already taken by the Organization at the national, regional and global levels in preparing for a major control programme of respiratory diseases; Conscious that the application of innovative, simple and effective measures for the prevention and control of respiratory diseases would constitute an important element in increasing the effectiveness and acceptability of primary health services, 1. REQUESTS the Director-General (1) to stimulate and to intensify the involvement of Member States in the control of respiratory diseases, and to promote technical cooperation with them as well as among them, in respect of the formulation of national control programmes, with particular reference to their integration into current and future development activities in health and other fields; (2) to accord high priority to research activities for the development of simple and effective methods for the prevention of acute and chronic respiratory diseases, their timely detection and diagnosis, and appropriate curative services, e.g. optimal package treatment; (3) to keep the Executive Board and the World Health Assembly informed of the progress made in the development and implementation of the programme on respiratory diseases; 2. CALLS UPON the United Nations Development Programme, the World Bank, UNICEF, the United Nations Fund of Population Activities, and other international organizations and funds to actively support this new programme, as a major element of primary health care; 3. URGES Member States to give a high priority to the control of respiratory diseases and to establish national targets in terms of reduction of morbidity and mortality. Fourteenth plenary meeting, 25 May 1979
A32/VR/14
THIRTY-SECbND WORLD HEALTH ASSEMBLY
WHA32.39 25 May 1979
LEPROSY
The Thirty-second World Health Assembly, Recalling resolutions WHA29.70 and WHA30.36 and previous other resolutions both of the World Health Assembly and the Executive Board; Noting: (a) the progress made throughout the world since the adoption of the above resolutions particularly in studies of ultra-structure, histochemistry, bacteriology, immunology, chemotherapy and prophylaxis; (b) that leprosy, in spite of such advances, is still a major public health and social problem in some countries of Africa, Asia, Latin America and Pacific Islands; (c) that urgent and resolute steps will be necessary to control leprosy if the concept of Health for all by the year 2000 is to become a practical possibility, since the periods of incubation and infectivity of leprosy may extend up to a considerable number of years;
1.
URGES Member States with endemic leprosy to: (1) allocate adequate resources to carry out effective leprosy programmes, including training of their own personnel;
(2) support treatment, physical and social rehabilitation and vocational programmes for leprosy patients to make them self-reliant and self-supporting; (3) review the current practices of isolation of leprosy patients in specialized institutions, where this exists, in order to achieve their progressive integration as active and fully accepted members of society;
2.
REQUESTS the Director-General to: (1) intensify the Organization's activities for leprosy control. in the next decade, in contribution to the attainment of the objective: Health for all by the year 2000;
(2) cooperate with Member States with endemic leprosy to develop effective programmes for prevention and treatment of leprosy;
(3) continue to mobilize resources from extrabudgetary sources both for the leprosy control programme and for the Special Programme pf Research and Training in Tropical Diseases, 'particularfy for epidemiological surveys and chemotherapeutic trials, and to promote relevant research for the development of new drugs as well as in the field of immunology with the objective of producing a vaccine for prophylaxis; and (4)
report to the Thirty-fifth World Health Assembly on the steps taken.
Fourteenth plenary meeting, 25 May 1979 A32/VR/14
THIRTY-SECOND WORLD HEALTH ASSEMBLY
WHA32.40 25 May 1979
DEVELOPMENT OF THE WHO PROGRAMME ON ALCOHOL-RELATED PROBLEMS The Thirty-second World Health Assembly, '"-' Recognizing that problems related to alcohol, and particularly to its excessive consumption, rank among the world s major public health problems, I
Recalling resolutions WHA28.8l, WHA28.84, WHA29.21 and EB63.R30 concerning, respectively, health statistics related to alcohol, the promotion of mental health and psychosocial factors and health, Appreciating the work already carried out by the Organization and non-governmental organizations on alcohol-related problems, Noting the discussions of the Executive Board concerning the need to develop further the WHO programme on the above-mentioned problems, 1. DECIDES that problems relating to alcohol consumption, including health, social and economic consequences, constitute serious hazards for human health, welfare and life, and that it is necessary, therefore, for Member States to pay greater attention to these problems; 2. URGES that Member States: (1) take all appropriate measures to reduce the consumption of alcohol among all sectors of the population, but especially among young people, adolescents and pregnant women; . (2) develop intensive preventive programmes that include public information and education concerning alcohol problems, and ensure the provision of appropriate legislation and other measures enabling effective action to be taken, for example in relation to the production and sale of alcoholic beverages; (3) undertake additional measures for the prevention, control and management of such problems as may arise in relation to alcohol consumption, including the provision of treatment and rehabilitation services and the development of the necessary manpower within the context of health services; (4) develop and collect relevant and reliable statistical and other information related to alcohol consumption and its consequent problems; (5) study the behavioural and sociological factors contributing to alcohol abuse; 3.
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REQUESTS the Director-General: (1) to strengthen WHO's capacity to respond to requests from governments to provide support for their efforts in dealing with the problems associated with alcohol;
. WHA32.40 page 2 (2) to encourage greater intercountry collaboration with respect to the prevention and treatment of alcohol-related problems by developing joint training programmes, reviewing existing trade practices and agreements relating to alcohol, establishing international criteria for reporting alcohol-related problems and levels of alcohol production, and ensuring the exchange of experience regarding'particular preventive measures; (3) to promote jOint consideration by the organizations of the United Nations system and nongovernmental organizations of the problems associated with alcohol and their alleviation, and specifically to invite the United Nations Statistical Office, the International Labour Organisation, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization to collaborate with WHO in this work;
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(4) to seek additional funds from the United Nations, particularly from the bodies concerned with drug dependence, and from governmental and nongovernmental sources, and to study the possibility of establishing a special fund within the United Nations system, concerned with alcohol-related problems including alcoholism; (5) to report on these matters to future Health Assemblies as appropriate;
4. REQUESTS the Executive Board to consider "Alcohol consumption and alcohol-related problems" as the subject for Technical Discussions as early as possible.
Fourteenth plenary meeting, 25 May 1979 A32/VR/l4
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THIRTY-SECOND WORLD HEALTH ASSEMBLY
WHA32.41 25 May 1979
ACTION PROGRAMME ON ESSENTIAL DRUGS The Thirty-second World Health Assembly, Recalling resolutions WHA3l.32 and EB63.R20; Convinced that an adequate supply of essential drugs is indispensable for attaining "health for all by the year 2000"; 1. 2. 3. ENDORSES resolution EB63.R20; REITERATES the validity of the guiding principles embodied in resolution WHA3l.32; THANKS the Director-General for his report;l
4. URGES Member States to take action in accordance with resolution WRA3l.32 and to participate in the Action Programme on Essential Drugs, concentrating on ways and means of rational procurement; on more suitable training; and on fuller and more objective information of all health workers involved in the utilization of drugs; 5. REQUESTS the Director-General to establish a special programme on essential drugs, including its administrative structure,2 and to make provision for the initial financing from the Director-General's and/or Regional Directors' Development Programmes, if necessary.
Fourteenth plenary meeting, 25 May 1979 A32/VR/l4
1 Document A32/l0. 2
Resolution EB63.R20, para. 3.
Sixty-third Session
EB63.R20 24 January 1979
ACTION PROGRAMME ON ESSENTIAL DRUGS
The Executive Board, Recalling resolutions EB61.R17 1 and WHA31.32;2 Having considered the report of the Ad hoc Committee on Drug Policies 3 and the additional information provided by the Director-General; Convinced that the selection of essential drugs suitable for meeting the health needs of the majority of the population is the prerequisite for the development of technical cooperation in purchasing, quality control distribution, and, whenever feasible, local production of such drugs; Noting that the countries of the South Pacific have already initiated a programme for technical cooperation among developing countries along these lines by adopting a common list of essential drugs for bulk purchasing, in collaboration with WHO and the South Pacific Bureau for Economic Cooperation (SPEC) j Considering that similar initiatives at country and regional levels require adequate technical and financial support from the global level, as outlined in the report of the Ad hoc . Committee on Drug Policies; Considering also that the offers by some drug manufacturers, both private and State-owned, to collaborate in the action programme, e.g., by providing essential drugs under favourable conditions to the least developed countries, should be taken into account; 1. THANKS the Ad hoc Committee on Drug Policies for its comprehensive r~port;
2. REQUESTS the Director-General to proceed with consultations and negotiations with governments, interested United Nations agencies, development aid organizations and pharmaceutical industries with a view to agreeing on a plan of action, obtaining technical and financial support, and establishing the Essential Drugs Fund as recommended in the report; 3. REQUESTS the Ad hoc Committee to keep under review the development of the action programme including its administrative structure, giving high priority to the urgent needs of the least developed countries, and among them particularly landlocked countries and small islands, and to report to a future session of the Executive Board. Twenty-fourth meeting, 24 January 1979 EB63/SR/24 1 WHO Official Records, No. 244, 1978, p. 11. 2 WHO Official Records, No. 247, 1978, p. 20. 3
Document EB63/l9.
THIRTY-SECOND WORLD HEALTH ASSEMBLY
WHA32.42 25 May 1979
WHO LONG-TERM PROGRAMME FOR MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH
The Thirty-second World Health Assembly, Recalling resolutions WHA27.43, WHA3l.47 and WHA3l.55; Referring to the social target of health for all by the year 2000 and to the principles regarding primary health care adopted in 1978 at the conference in Alma-Ata; Recognizing that maternal and child health care including nutrition, family planning and immunization are essential aspects of primary health care; Convinced that a rapid development and determined strengthening of maternal and child health care are of paramount importance for attaining the goal of health for all by the year 2000; Realizing that more than one-third of the world's population in the year 2000 is not yet born; Recognizing also that maternal and child health is the health priority, firmly interrelated with the social and economic development of every country; Recognizing that definite improvements in the health of mothers and children have been achieved where special efforts and resources have been committed to this area of health development; Convinced that it is important to ensure continuation of the emphasis on the welfare of children star,ted during the International Year of the Child; Thanking the Director-General for his comprehensive and informative report providing the background for action now, 1. URGES Member States: (1) to further develop their overall health and socioeconomic planning ~iving d~e and explicit attention to meeting health and other needs of mothers, children and the family, and to ensure appropriate distribution of nation'al resources 'to this end; (2) to promote specific governmental regulations and laws to provide free health services at least during periods of high risk: pregnancy, delivery and the first years of life when breastfeeding, immunization and treatment of infectious and parasitic diseases are crucial for survival; (3) to promote the development of primary health care programmes with concrete plans for maternal and child health care as its essential component that includes care during pregnancy and childbirth, family planning, infant and child care with appropriate focus on improvement of nutrition, prevention of infections, promotion of physicial and psychological development of the child, and education for family life; (4) to ensure the development of appropriate supportive, referral and training services obstetrics and other related sub· s i 1·
• WHA32.42 page 2 (5) to ensure active participation of individuals, families and communities in th.e development and utilization of maternal and child heal~h care; (6) to develop, as appropriate, health and related social services such as day-care services, school health, adolescent services and relevant social legislation in support of mothers and children; (7) to encourage new approaches for simpler, more direct and massive actions to bring to those families, mothers and children most in need those essential health and educational services which are still unavailable to them and review when appropriate present utilization of all health personnel including traditional health workers in order to ensure a better use of existing resources for maternal and child health; (8) to develop and strengthen the information support necessary for the planning and implementation of maternal and child care at different levels of the health care system; (9) to include in the planned efforts for maternal and child health specific attempts to reach high-risk and underprivileged groups of mothers and children and their families, and to specifically support all efforts at improving the nutrition of pregnant and lactating mothers and children; (10) to support research and development as well as evaluation in the area of maternal and child health as part of health services research;
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2.
REQUESTS the Director-General: (1) to support, in collaboration with UNICEF and UNFPA, and competent nongovernmental organizations in official relations with the World Health Organization and with Member States formulation and implementation of long-term maternal and child health programmes as part of the development of their strategies to reach the goal of health for all by the year 2000;
(2) to support Member States in setting quantifiable targets and in the utilization of suitable indicators for monitoring the effectiveness of their activities in maternal and child health; (3) to assist Member States in implementing the Expanded Programme on Immunization as an integral part of MCH services; (4) to assist Member States in implementing systematic and planned chloroquine chemoprophylaxis of malaria for children and pregnant mothers in highly malarious areas; (5) to further support Member States in curricular revisions in teaching medical and health sciences to give wider coverage to family health and maternal and child health and in development of training programmes for all categories of workers in the health sector as well as other sectors aiming at the increase of their awareness of the relationship between health and socioeconomic factors with particular reference to the development of children; (6) to further develop the Organization's activities for the development of appropriate technology in maternal and child health care and promote health services research in this field; (7) to intensify efforts for providing additional suppo:t f?r.the Org~niza~ion's programme in maternal and child health and to mobilize sC1ent1f1c and f1nanc1al resources in this field; (8)
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to report progress of this work to a future World Health Assembly. Fourteenth plenary meeting, 25 May 1979 A32/VR/l4
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Sixty-third Session
EB63. R4 16 January 1979
PROPOSED PROGRAMME BUDGET FOR THE FINANCIAL PERIOD 1980-1981: PROGRAMME REVIEW TRADITIONAL MEDICINE PROGRAMME
The Executive Board, Recalling resolution WHA30.49; l Having examined the Director-General's report on the progress achieved in the new programme on traditional medicine, and the recommendations contained therein; Noting the special attention directed to traditional medicine, including traditional birth attendants, by a WHO Meeting on the Promotion and Development ,of Traditional Medicine,2 and by the regional committees; Conscious of the need for practical and effective measures to promote and develop research in traditional medicine, including medicinal plants and herbal remedies; Emphasizing the need for the governments of the countries interested in the use of traditional medical practice to give adequate support to engaging traditional medical practitioners in primary health care teams as and when appropriate, to the utilization of appropriate technology in these traditional medical practices and to undertake adequate measures for effective regulation and control of traditional medical practices; Recognizing that the success of the programme will depend on the active involvement of all Member States concerned; 1. REQUESTS the Director-General: (1) to intensify his efforts to promote the active involvement of Member States concerned in the further development and implementation of the programme; (2) to assist interested governments to develop more realistic and flexible approaches to traditional medicine through health care programmes adapted to the different socioeconomic conditions; 2. FURTHER REQUESTS the Director-General and the regional directors to continue to develop the traditional medicine programme of WHO including the guidelines for the use of valuable traditional health care practices as and when appropriate, to allocate necessary financial and other resources to this programme, and to cooperate with Member States in this field.
Tent~ mieting, 16 January 1979 EB63/SR 10
1 Document EB63/HP/2.
2 WHO Technical Report Series, No. 622, 1978.
Sixty~third
Session
EB63.R24 24 January 1979
VOLUNTARY FUND FOR HEALTH PROMOTION
The Executive Board, Noting the report of the Director-General on the Voluntary Fund for Health Promot~on;
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Recognizing the role which the Voluntary Fund for Health Promotion is playing and can continue to play in the promotion of health activities, particularly in the developing countries; 1. NOTES with appreciation the increase in contributions made to the Voluntary Fund for Health Promotion, which the Director-General has acknowledged through expressions of thanks to contributors; 2. EXPRESSES the hope that all Members in a position to do so will contribute to the Voluntary Fund for Health Promotion, taking into account the social goal of health for all by the year 2000 and primary health care as the cornerstone in the achievement of this goal, as well as priority programmes of the Organization; 3. REQUESTS the Director-General to transmit this resolution together with the report he has submitted to the Executive Board, to the Members of the Organization, calling particular attention to the Board's expression of appreciation of the contributions made and the need to maintain and increase the momentum of support for the Organization's work through the Voluntary Fund for Health Promotion.
Twentl-fifth meeting, 24 January 1979 EB63/SR/25 .
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I Attached to document EB63/33. =
Sixty-third Session
EB63.R29 25 January 1979
AcnON IN RESPECT OF INTERNATIONAL CONVENTIONS ON NARCOTIC AND PSYCHOTROPIC SUBSTANCES
... The Executive Board, conv~ntions on narcotic and psychotropic substances ,1 in particular WHO's obligations under
Having examined the Director-General's report on action in respect of international
the Convention on Psychotropic Substances, 1971, to recommend to the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs the application of international control measures for certain specific psychotropic substances; Considering that, in conformitY2with the treaty stipulation and in the opinion of the Expert Committee on Drug Dependence, the public health and social consequences of drug abuse constitute the major criteria warranting international control; Considering, further, that the nature and magnitude of those consequences and problems can be assessed only locally by the relevant government authorities in collaboration, where desired and appropriate, with the World Health Organization; 1. URGES Member States to pay due attention to the development and application of suitable instruments and measures to monitor the untoward consequences of drug dependence and abuse for public health and for society in general; 2.
REQUESTS the Director-General: (1) to continue to cooperate with Member States in developing such instruments and in using them to assess the nature and magnitude of the public health and social problems related to drug abuse; (2) to continue to forward to the Secretary-General of the United Nations, in compliance with the Convention on Psychotropic Substances, 1971, any recommendations regarding international control of specific substances resulting from such assessment; (3) to bring the preSe1.1t resolution to the attention of the Secretary-General of the United Nations.
!Went1-seventh meeting, 25 January 1979 EB63jSR/27
1 Document EB63/ZZ. Z WHO Technical Report Series, No. 618, 1978 (WHO twenty-first report).
E~pert Committee on Drug Dependence, =
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Sixty-third Session
EB63.R19 24 January 1979
WHO' S HUMAN HEALTH AND ENV IRONMENT PROGRAMME - EVALUATION OF THE EFFECTS OF CHEMICALS ON HEALTH The Executive Board, Recalling resolutions WHA30.47 on health; 1 and WHA3l.28 2 on the evaluation of the effects of chemicals
Noting that the World Health Assembly has already requested the Director-General to strengthen the implementation of the programme through a central WHO unit at headquarters for planning and coordinating, and through a network of national institutions that would be assigned specific tasks; 1.
THANKS the Director-General for his report on this subject;
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SUBMITS the report to the Thirty-second World Health Assembly together with its comments;
3. ENDORSES the proposed plan of action for further implementing the programme and urges the Director-General to proceed as rapidly as possible, as outlined in his report and taking into account the comments of the Executive Board, in particular by: (1) completing negotiations with Member States for designating lead institutions for the major components of the programme, and procuring extrabudgetary finanCial resources both for the operation of the network of national lead institutions and for strengthening the central unit; (2) making the necessary arrangements for programme implementation, such as using and incorporating existing resources devoted to the activities related to chemical safety when establishing the central WHO unit as well as the advisory mechanisms; (3) negotiating with organizations within the United Nations system, in particular the International Labour Organisation, the Food and Agriculture Organization, and the United Nations Environment Programme and with other intergovernmental and nongovernmental organizations, to ensure their collaboration and the coordination of all efforts in this area; 4. REQUESTS the Director-General to submit any further information that may become available on this matter to the Thirty-second World Health Assembly.
Twentl-fourth meeting, 24 January 1979 EB63/SR/24
1 WHO Official Recorda, No. 240, 1977, pp. 27-28. 2 WHO Official Re cor d a, No. 247 , 1978 , p. 18. 3 Document EB63/20.