SE Asia declares war against tobacco
SE Asia declares war against tobacco
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
The 55th Session of the World Health Organization (WHO)
Regional Committee for Southeast Asia here concluded on Friday
with a united call for curbs on the advertising of tobacco, and
unhealthy foods and lifestyles.
The session also suggested an intersectoral ministerial
meeting to further discuss these problems.
The call to arms over the dangers of tobacco use, and
unhealthy foods and lifestyles, was only one of many notes that
resulted from the five-day session.
The World Bank's Watching Brief May 2002 says that 6.6 percent
of the world total of 1.1 billion smokers are Indonesians, making
the country the fourth biggest tobacco consumer on earth after
the United States, China and Japan.
The regional committee also recognized the need for effective
management of healthcare decentralization.
It urged member states to ensure equity in access to quality,
efficient healthcare while implementing national decentralization
policies, strategies and plans.
The committee noted that accessibility to essential medicines
for all citizens in the region would require the commitment of
member states to introducing the necessary regulations and taking
appropriate action.
It urged member states to strengthen national mechanisms
for the use of essential medicine lists and to use
prequalification processes in drug procurement systems to ensure
quality.
It requested WHO to provide technical assistance to member
countries to strengthen their drug regulatory authorities, and to
facilitate the development of regional bulk purchase schemes.
On the one hand, the committee commended the technical support
provided by WHO in obtaining resources from the global funds for
AIDS, TB and malaria.
It sought priority for research to prevent the mother-to-child
transmission of HIV/AIDS, the development of vaccines and the
local production of anti-retroviral drugs at affordable prices.
While noting the successful interregional collaboration in
malaria control in the Mekong basin area, the committee called
for similar collaboration in HIV/AIDS prevention and control.
While appreciating WHO's support for rapid responses to health
emergencies, the committee noted that national disaster
preparedness and emergency programs needed to be further
developed and strengthened.
The committee welcomed the Director General's proposal to
limit the reduction of the regular budget for the Southeast Asia
region to 2 percent for 2004-2005 as compared to the 2002-2003
period.