New Delhi | 10 October 2024: The Seventy Seventh Regional Committee Session of WHO South-East Asia wrapped up with Member States adopting resolutions setting new targets for measles and rubella elimination. Expanding the corpus of the regional health emergency fund and committing to adolescent responsive health systems.
The Member countries agreed to extend the target for elimination of measles and rubella by the Region, aspiring to achieve by 2026.
The resolution also endorsed the “Strategic Plan for measles and rubella elimination and sustenance in the WHO South-East Asia Region 2024–2028” for achieving and sustaining measles and rubella elimination in the Region. Working against the earlier 2023 target, five countries of the Region have achieved measles and rubella elimination.
“While regionally, we have made good progress on elimination of measles and rubella, the COVID 19 pandemic did disrupt this progress. I pleased the Regional Committee resolved to revise the elimination target,” says Saima Wazed, Regional Director. At the closing of the Regional Committee.
At the WHO’s regional annual governing body meeting, the Member countries agreed to the treble the corpus of South-East Asia Regional Health Emergency Fund (SEARHEF) to US$ 3 million beginning 2026. In addition to supporting lifesaving interventions during emergency response. The SEARHEF will also strengthened to fill critical gaps in health emergency preparedness and capacities of countries.
The Regional Committee also endorse the Ministerial Declaration on adolescent-responsive health systems that countries adopt at a ministerial round table earlier in the week. The declaration calls for policies. Resources and services tailor to the unique needs of this age group for a healthier and more equitable future for all.
The declaration emphasises on adolescent-responsive health system. As the crucial strategy to strengthen PHC-oriented health system and achieve universal health coverage.
The Regional Committee review the progress made towards achieving universal health coverage. Health-related Sustainable Development Goals as countries shares initiatives and reiterat resolve to accelerate efforts to achieve the global targets.
The three-day Regional Committee that ended yesterday discussed progress reports on previous resolutions including traditional medicines; strengthening health workforce education and training; and intensifying activities for dengue control and malaria elimination. The resolution on decade of action to end viral hepatitis, HIV and STIs; universal access to people centered health care and services; progress and acceleration plan for non-communicable diseases and advancing health emergency preparedness and response in the Region also deliberated upon.
Reiterating WHO Director-General Dr Tedros key asks made in his opening address to the Regional Committee. Wazed urged Member States to engage actively in negotiations for the Pandemic Agreement.
The Regional Director thanked Member States for their generous commitment to WHO Investment Round. A
nd reiterated WHO’s continued support to accelerate public health across the Region.
“We are one team …. with a unified vision – a vision which can benefit every living person on this planet. I pleased to be among you in this noble calling, and in this noble endeavor of ours,” the Regional Director said.
During the Regional Committee, Member States were felicitated for achievements and advancements in public health. Bhutan awarded for achieving interim targets for cervical cancer elimination; India for eliminating trachoma; Timor-Leste for eliminating lymphatic filariasis; Maldives and Sri Lanka for Hepatitis B control in children. Bhutan also given an award for achieving SDG and global targets for reducing under five mortality and still birth rates. The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Indonesia, Maldives, Sri Lanka and Thailand awarded for achieving the SDG and global targets for reduction of under-5 mortality, neonatal mortality and stillbirth rates.