World Health Assembly:

Swine flu threat, key focus

The World Health Assembly (WHA) became a timely forum for indepth deliberations on the outbreak of A - HINI. The technical inputs and the awareness created by these discussions will serve as catalyst for the Member States and the WHO to strengthen and accelerate the preventive and curative programs in the area, WHA President Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said.

Concluding the five-day assembly held in Geneva the Minister said he was pleased to witness many successful outcomes, which will greatly benefit health of people.

This year’s assembly was honoured by the presence of Secretary General of the United Nations Ban Ki - Moon who enlightened us on pressing global health issues. Secretary General also gave a message to place solidarity at the heart of the world’s response to the new influenza A (HINI) outbreak.

The Assembly was also graced by the presence of Mrs. Sarah Brown, Patron of the White Ribbon Alliance for Safe Motherhood, who underlined the crucial importance of reducing maternal mortality to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

“We can be proud that delegations have deliberated and agreed on pressing issues in the world health agenda this year.

The cooperation and flexibility that the delegations have shown in agreeing on contentious issues is commendable. I am also happy to note the issue of financial crisis which was the main theme of the debate in the plenary has been addressed very seriously by the Member States and several innovative approaches merged in the course of discussions.

I wish to commend the Director General and the Secretariat for presenting a very realistic program budget for the next biennium,” he said.

The issue of climate change and health was also addressed at the relevant committee.

The delegates agreed upon a draft resolution and a work plan to scale up WHO’s technical assistance to countries to assess the impact of climate change. The delegates set up a road map for future WHO work in this area.

Through wide scale discussions and negotiations, and compromise, the delegations have come a long way forward to address the contentious issues in Pandemic influenza preparedness: sharing of influenza viruses and access to vaccines and other benefits. He hoped the Director-General will take action to give effect to the spirit of this Resolution.

The interest shown by the delegates to the discussions on Social determinants of health was highly commendable. It will be implemented at country level in the coming year, the Minister said.