SE Asia declares war against tobacco<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The 55th Session of the World Health Organization (WHO)
\nRegional Committee for Southeast Asia here concluded on Friday
\nwith a united call for curbs on the advertising of tobacco, and
\nunhealthy foods and lifestyles.<\/p>\n
The session also suggested an intersectoral ministerial
\nmeeting to further discuss these problems.<\/p>\n
The call to arms over the dangers of tobacco use, and
\nunhealthy foods and lifestyles, was only one of many notes that
\nresulted from the five-day session.<\/p>\n
The World Bank's Watching Brief May 2002 says that 6.6 percent
\nof the world total of 1.1 billion smokers are Indonesians, making
\nthe country the fourth biggest tobacco consumer on earth after
\nthe United States, China and Japan.<\/p>\n
The regional committee also recognized the need for effective
\nmanagement of healthcare decentralization.<\/p>\n
It urged member states to ensure equity in access to quality,
\nefficient healthcare while implementing national decentralization
\npolicies, strategies and plans.<\/p>\n
The committee noted that accessibility to essential medicines
\nfor all citizens in the region would require the commitment of
\nmember states to introducing the necessary regulations and taking
\nappropriate action.<\/p>\n
It urged member states to strengthen national mechanisms
\nfor the use of essential medicine lists and to use
\nprequalification processes in drug procurement systems to ensure
\nquality.<\/p>\n
It requested WHO to provide technical assistance to member
\ncountries to strengthen their drug regulatory authorities, and to
\nfacilitate the development of regional bulk purchase schemes.<\/p>\n
On the one hand, the committee commended the technical support
\nprovided by WHO in obtaining resources from the global funds for
\nAIDS, TB and malaria.<\/p>\n
It sought priority for research to prevent the mother-to-child
\ntransmission of HIV\/AIDS, the development of vaccines and the
\nlocal production of anti-retroviral drugs at affordable prices.<\/p>\n
While noting the successful interregional collaboration in
\nmalaria control in the Mekong basin area, the committee called
\nfor similar collaboration in HIV\/AIDS prevention and control.<\/p>\n
While appreciating WHO's support for rapid responses to health
\nemergencies, the committee noted that national disaster
\npreparedness and emergency programs needed to be further
\ndeveloped and strengthened.<\/p>\n
The committee welcomed the Director General's proposal to
\nlimit the reduction of the regular budget for the Southeast Asia
\nregion to 2 percent for 2004-2005 as compared to the 2002-2003
\nperiod.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/se-asia-declares-war-against-tobacco-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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