Sixty-fourth World Health Assembly: daily notes on proceedings
Notes: Friday, 20 May 2011
Global immunization vision and strategy
In a great show of support, many delegates and global health partners in Committee A spoke in favour of the Global Immunization Vision and Strategy. Delegates applauded strides in saving lives around the world through vaccines, noting key challenges such as eradicating polio and increasing measles vaccination coverage to prevent dangerous outbreaks.
Maternal, infant and young child nutrition
More than 100 million children under five were underweight in 2010. Additionally, more women are becoming overweight, increasing the risk of birth complications. Delegates in Committee B discussed a progress report on a plan to tackle problems of poor nutrition through awareness campaigns, and policies involving health, education, agriculture.
Global Code of Practice on International Recruitment of Health Personnel
Migration of health workers from developing to developed countries has been increasing over the past decades. To discourage active recruitment of health personnel from developing countries facing critical shortages of health workers, Member States agreed on a Global Code of Practice in 2010. Delegates met today to discuss successes and challenges since implementing the Code, primarily noting the need more information sharing between countries.
Strengthening health systems
Committee A approved five resolutions to strengthen health systems.
- The first lays out strategies to strengthen nursing and midwifery, such as developing national targets and action plans and improving training.
- The second outlines actions to strengthen the health workforce through effective implementation of the WHO Global Code of Practice (see item above).
- The third sets out to strengthen national policy dialogue to build more robust health policies, strategies and plans.
- The fourth aims for sustainable health financing structures and universal coverage of health care and services, stressing the principles of equity and solidarity.
- The fifth focuses on strengthening national health emergency and disaster management capacities and resilience of health systems.
Election of the Director-General
Committee B reviewed the interim report of the Working Group on the Election of the Director-General. The Working Group is examining how to enhance fairness, transparency and equity among the Member States of the six regions of WHO with respect to the process of nomination and appointment of the Director-General. This first report of the Working group includes preliminary ideas on new approaches to the nomination process. The Working Group will meet again in November 2011 to continue its discussions.
Staffing
In Committee B, delegates discussed staffing at WHO. They welcomed progress towards better gender balance among staff, but were concerned about the overall reduction in staff negatively affecting WHO's ability to deliver on its core business.
Saving lives through clean water
Member States unanimously agreed to reinvigorate efforts in drinking-water, sanitation and health in support public health. Waterborne diseases continue to kill over two million lives per year. Member States called for WHO to strengthen its major normative functions on water and health and expand its monitoring role of progress towards access to safe water and sanitation. The resolution was approved.