EB77.R4
Tropical disease research
The Executive Board,
Having considered the progress report submitted by the Director-General on the UNDP/World Bank/WHO Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases;
Recognizing that the Programme has achieved substantial progress in the development of vaccines, drugs, diagnostic methods and vector control agents to combat tropical parasitic diseases;
Noting that the Programme has made valuable contributions to the strengthening of the capability of tropical countries where the target diseases are endemic to conduct research on them;
Noting further that, despite the generosity of many Member States, international agencies and nongovernmental organizations, financial contributions have fallen short of requirements to implement the approved level of research and research-strengthening activities;
- EXPRESSES its appreciation for the scientific and technical results already achieved by the Special Programme;
- CONSIDERS that one of its most significant achievements has been to mobilize the knowledge and skills of scientists and scientific institutions in countries where the diseases are endemic and in other countries into a cohesive network for the development of new and improved methods to control tropical parasitic diseases;
- WELCOMES the close collaboration between the Special Programme and other WHO programmes, especially those on parasitic diseases, malaria. vector biology and control and leprosy, for the control of tropical diseases, and between the Special Programme and the pharmaceutical industry in research on new technology against tropical diseases and the development and application of the results of such research;
- URGES the Director-General to continue to give high priority to the Programme, in view of the need for new or improved means of controlling tropical parasitic diseases within the context of primary health care and strategies for health for all;
- EMPHASIZES the importance of ensuring the rapid and widespread application of the results of research financed by the Programme in the national health strategies and programmes of countries;
- EXPRESSES its appreciation to Member States for their collaboration in and financial contributions to the Programme; and to the other sponsoring agencies, the United Nations Development Programme and the World Bank, for their continued support and assistance in the advancement, management and funding of the Programme;
- URGES Member States, in particular in tropical areas where the diseases are endemic, to improve career structures for scientists and other personnel engaged in research on tropical diseases, especially for those engaged in field research;
- URGES Member States to contribute or to increase their financial contributions to the Programme in order to accelerate the achievement of its objectives.