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| Friday, 10 September 2004 |
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MALE - The Ministers of Health from countries of WHO's South-East Asia Region called for accelerated efforts to strengthen intercountry collaboration to improve the health of people in the Region. The 22nd meeting of the Health Ministers concluded here today with recommendations on the three issues discussed: The Global Fund to fight AIDs, TB and Malaria (GFATM), progress towards achieving the United nations Millennium Development Goal and Intercountry Co-operation: Cross border control of priority communicable disease. According to Regional Director WHO South-East Asia Region, Dr. Samlee Plianbangchang, The Global Fund represented the window of opportunity to substantially enhance effective interventions to combat the three priority diseases, and make a difference in the fight against the high burden of disease in the Region. The Ministers also had the opportunity to discuss the issue with Executive Director of the Global Fund (GF), Dr. Richard Feecham. The WHO Regional Office has actively supported member countries to prepare effective proposals and in the four rounds held so far, the SEA Region had got approval for 33 proposals from ten countries and obtained allotment for over US $ one billion to its member countries. The Ministers requested WHO to continue providing technical support for the preparation of proposals, and their implementation including monitoring and evaluation. They recommended a simplification of the GF procedures, and speedy disbursement of funds. Importantly, they said countries should factor into their proposals the ability to mobilize technical support from any agency including WHO. Regarding Progress towards achieving the Untied nations Millennium Development Goals, it was highlighted that some SEAR countries may not be able to achieve the MDGs without accelerated efforts through enhanced political and financial support and by adopting and implementing relevant interventions. The Ministers recommended that Member States should identify specific challenges and develop intervention programs with partners working in health, focusing particularly on the health needs of the poorest segments and the underprivileged. WHO was asked to continue technical support to countries in scalling up cost-effective interventions, and advising them on the implications of globalisation; on monitoring and evaluation and resource mobilisation including the use of existing resources effectively as part of national poverty reduction strategies. On intercountry co-operation: Cross-border control of priority communicable diseases, it was emphasised that disease transmission was high in border areas, particularly in respect of priority communicable diseases. The risk of AIDS was linked with the drug trade and trafficking of women across borders. At the same time, border areas were generally given low priority by countries. The meeting recommended the countries to enhance implementation of joint plans of action with political commitment, coherent disease control policies and strategies such as synchronised insecticide spraying on both sides of the border. WHO was requested to support development of tools for situation analysis, capacity building and management of cross-border issues. WHO was also requested to support countries to mobilise resources to ensure sustained financing for cross-border control. |
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