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<DIV
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Release
WHA/2</SPAN></FONT></B><o:p></o:p></DIV></BLOCKQUOTE></BLOCKQUOTE></BLOCKQUOTE></BLOCKQUOTE></BLOCKQUOTE></BLOCKQUOTE></BLOCKQUOTE></BLOCKQUOTE></BLOCKQUOTE></BLOCKQUOTE></BLOCKQUOTE></BLOCKQUOTE></BLOCKQUOTE></BLOCKQUOTE>
<P class=Section1 style="TEXT-ALIGN: right" align=right><B><FONT face=Arial
size=3><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">23
May 2007</SPAN></FONT></B><o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=Section1 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" align=center><B><FONT face=Arial
size=5><SPAN
style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 18pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">WORLD HEALTH
ASSEMBLY CLOSES WITH AGREEMENT ON INFLUENZA VIRUS SHARING AND INTELLECTUAL
PROPERTY </SPAN></FONT></B><o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=Section1><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on"><B><FONT face=Arial
size=3><SPAN
style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">GENEVA</SPAN></FONT></B></st1:City></st1:place><B><FONT
face=Arial><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">
--</SPAN></FONT></B> <FONT face=Arial><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial">The World
Health Assembly (WHA), the supreme decision-making body of the World Health
Organization (WHO), wrapped-up its sixtieth session today, reaching last-minute
agreement on two key resolutions on Pandemic influenza preparedness and Public
health, innovation and intellectual property. More than 2400 people from WHO's
193 Member States, nongovernmental organizations and other observers attended
the meeting which took place from 14-23 May.</SPAN></FONT><o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=Section1><FONT face=Arial size=3><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">The Assembly approved the
largest-ever budget for the Organization and adopted a record number of
resolutions on public health issues and on the technical and administrative work
of WHO.</SPAN></FONT><o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=Section1><FONT face=Arial size=3><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Member States agreed a
resolution</SPAN></FONT> <FONT face=Arial><SPAN lang=EN-GB
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial">which will help all countries better prepare for the
global public health threat which an</SPAN></FONT><B><SPAN lang=EN-GB
style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold"> </SPAN></B><B><FONT face=Arial><SPAN lang=EN-GB
style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">influenza
pandemic</SPAN></FONT></B><FONT face=Arial><SPAN lang=EN-GB
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> presents. The resolution, "Sharing of Influenza
viruses and access to vaccines and other benefits," restates the general
principles of the necessity of sharing both in the preparations for an influenza
pandemic and the benefits that will flow from improved international cooperation
and preparation, such as greater quantities of and equitable access to H5N1 and
pandemic vaccines. </SPAN></FONT><o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=Section1><FONT face=Arial size=3><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">In her closing remarks, the
Director-General Dr Margaret Chan told the delegates, "</SPAN></FONT><FONT
face=Arial><SPAN lang=EN-GB style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial">All countries need to be
aware of their obligations under the revised International Health Regulations.
When collective security is at stake, public opinion can carry great weight.
After very considerable discussion, you have adopted a resolution on the sharing
of influenza viruses and access to pandemic vaccines and other benefits. I want
to underscore the importance of this decision. My responsibilities in
implementing the IHR depend on this sharing." </SPAN></FONT><o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=Section1><FONT face=Arial size=3><SPAN lang=EN-GB
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">The resolution requests WHO to
establish an international stockpile of vaccines for H5N1 or other influenza
viruses of pandemic potential, and to formulate mechanisms and guidelines aimed
at ensuring fair and equitable distribution of pandemic-influenza vaccines at
affordable prices in the event of a pandemic.</SPAN></FONT><o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=Section1><FONT face=Arial size=3><SPAN lang=EN-GB
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">It also tasks an interdisciplinary
working group with drawing up new Terms of Reference (TORs) for the WHO
Influenza Collaborating Centre Network, and its H5 reference laboratories, for
the sharing of influenza viruses. The new TORs will take into account the origin
of influenza viruses going into the WHO Global Influenza Surveillance Network,
and will make their use more transparent. Once finalized, these TORs will be
submitted to a special Intergovernmental Meeting of WHO Member States and
regional economic organizations.</SPAN></FONT><o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=Section1><FONT face=Arial size=3><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">The Assembly reached a last-minute
agreement on</SPAN></FONT><B><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">
</SPAN></B><B><FONT face=Arial><SPAN
style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Public health, innovation and
intellectual property</SPAN></FONT></B><FONT face=Arial><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial">. The resolution expressed appreciation to the
Director-General for her commitment to the process of the Intergovernmental
Working Group on the issue and encouraged her to guide the process to draw up a
global strategy and plan of action. The resolution also requested the
Director-General to provide technical and policy support to
countries.</SPAN></FONT><o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=Section1><FONT face=Arial size=3><SPAN lang=EN-GB
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Dr Chan said, "I am fully committed
to this process and have noted your desire to move forward faster ... We must
make a tremendous effort. We know our incentive: the prevention of large numbers
of needless deaths and suffering." </SPAN></FONT><o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=Section1><B><FONT face=Arial size=3><SPAN
style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Summary of
additional decisions and issues discussed at the 60th World Health
Assembly</SPAN></FONT></B><o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=Section1><FONT face=Arial size=3><SPAN lang=EN-GB
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">The Assembly approved
a</SPAN></FONT><B><SPAN lang=EN-GB style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">
</SPAN></B><B><FONT face=Arial><SPAN lang=EN-GB
style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">budget</SPAN></FONT></B><FONT
face=Arial><SPAN lang=EN-GB style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> for 2008-2009 of $4.2
billion, an increase of nearly $1 billion from the $3.3 billion approved
for 2006-2007. The new budget highlights the continued trend of increased
investment in global public health. For WHO it means being able to provide more
support to countries, in close collaboration with UN and other partners. For the
first time, this budget is part of a six-year strategic plan for the
Organization, which Member States also adopted at the Assembly.
</SPAN></FONT><o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=Section1><FONT face=Arial size=3><SPAN lang=EN-GB
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Member States expressed their
concern that</SPAN></FONT><B><SPAN lang=EN-GB style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">
</SPAN></B><B><FONT face=Arial><SPAN lang=EN-GB
style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">malaria</SPAN></FONT></B><FONT
face=Arial><SPAN lang=EN-GB style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> continues to cause more
than one million preventable deaths every year. The Assembly passed a resolution
to intensify access to affordable, safe and effective antimalarial combination
treatments, to intermittent preventive treatment in pregnancies, to insecticide
treated mosquito nets, and indoor residual spraying for malaria control with
suitable and safe insecticide. Member States requested that donors adjust their
policies so as to progressively cease to fund the provision and distribution of
oral artemisinin monotherapies, and to join in campaigns to prohibit the
marketing, distribution and use of counterfeit antimalarial medicines.
</SPAN></FONT><o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=Section1><FONT face=Arial size=3><SPAN lang=EN-GB
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">All Member States were urged to
develop and implement long-term plans for<B><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">
tuberculosis</SPAN></B></SPAN></FONT><SPAN lang=EN-GB> </SPAN><FONT
face=Arial><SPAN lang=EN-GB style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial">(TB)</SPAN></FONT><SPAN
lang=EN-GB> </SPAN><FONT face=Arial><SPAN lang=EN-GB
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial">prevention and control, in line with the WHO Stop TB
Strategy. The actions the resolution are aimed at accelerating progress towards
halving TB deaths and prevalence by 2015, through the full implementation of the
Global Plan to Stop TB, 2006-2015. WHO is requested to strengthen its support to
countries affected by TB, in particular those heavily affected by
Multidrug-resistant and Extensively Drug-Resistant TB (MD/XDR-TB) as well as
TB/HIV.</SPAN></FONT><o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=Section1><FONT face=Arial size=3><SPAN lang=EN-GB
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Indigenous</SPAN></FONT><B><SPAN
lang=EN-GB style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold"> </SPAN></B><B><FONT face=Arial><SPAN
lang=EN-GB
style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">polio</SPAN></FONT></B><FONT
face=Arial><SPAN lang=EN-GB style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> survives in parts of
only four countries. Member States resolved to step up their efforts to
eradicate the virus swiftly, while taking steps to minimize the risk of its
international spread. Stressing the financial and humanitarian gains to be made
from completing eradication and the ongoing dividends of the highly-developed
polio infrastructure, the Director-General presented the 'Case for Completing
Polio Eradication', outlining a clear justification for the international donor
community to rapidly fill a global funding gap of US$540 million for 2007-2008.
Insufficient funding is currently imperilling the 20-year, US$5.3 billion
international effort. </SPAN></FONT><o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=Section1><FONT face=Arial size=3><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">The Assembly adopted a resolution
on</SPAN></FONT><B><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold"> </SPAN></B><B><FONT
face=Arial><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Integrating
gender</SPAN></FONT></B> <FONT face=Arial><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial">analysis and actions into the work of WHO,
demonstrating the importance Member States place on including gender
perspectives such as disaggregation of data based on sex in all publications and
reports.</SPAN></FONT><o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=Section1><FONT face=Arial size=3><SPAN lang=EN-GB
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">The WHA adopted a resolution
expressing concern over the continuous deterioration of the health and economic
conditions of the populations in the</SPAN></FONT><B><SPAN lang=EN-GB
style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold"> </SPAN></B><B><FONT face=Arial><SPAN lang=EN-GB
style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">occupied Palestinian
territory</SPAN></FONT></B><FONT face=Arial><SPAN lang=EN-GB
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial">. The need for universal coverage of health services
was reaffirmed while recognizing that the acute shortage of financial and
medical resources is jeopardizing access of the population to curative and
preventive services. The Assembly requested the WHO Director-General to report
on the health and economic situation in the occupied Palestinian territory and
to continue to provide the necessary technical assistance to meet the health
needs of the Palestinians.</SPAN></FONT><o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=Section1><FONT face=Arial size=3><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">The Assembly passed a resolution
on</SPAN></FONT><B><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold"> </SPAN></B><B><FONT
face=Arial><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Better medicines
for children</SPAN></FONT></B><FONT face=Arial><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial">, requesting the Director-General to undertake a
program of work to improve access to essential medicines for children. This
year, WHO will develop a Model List of Essential Medicines for Children, as well
as evidence-based medicines information for prescribers and carers, and identify
key research and development requirements for producing better medicines for
children.</SPAN></FONT><o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=Section1><FONT face=Arial size=3><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">In a resolution
on</SPAN></FONT><B><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold"> </SPAN></B><B><FONT
face=Arial><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Health
Technologies</SPAN></FONT></B><FONT face=Arial><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial">, in particular medical devices, the Assembly urged
Member States to draw up national guidelines and plans for the assessment,
procurement and management of technologies used in healthcare.
</SPAN></FONT><o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=Section1><FONT face=Arial size=3><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">A resolution
on</SPAN></FONT><B><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold"> </SPAN></B><B><FONT
face=Arial><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Rational use of
medicines</SPAN></FONT></B><FONT face=Arial><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial">
promotes an integrated, health systems approach to promoting more appropriate
use of medicines - specifically, national multidisciplinary bodies to monitor
medicines use and promote rational use. </SPAN></FONT><o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=Section1><FONT face=Arial size=3><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> </SPAN></FONT><o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=Section1><FONT face=Arial size=3><SPAN lang=EN-GB
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">The Assembly agreed that a
comprehensive review of all research undertaken on the</SPAN></FONT><B><SPAN
lang=EN-GB style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold"> </SPAN></B><B><FONT face=Arial><SPAN
lang=EN-GB style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">variola
virus</SPAN></FONT></B><FONT face=Arial><SPAN lang=EN-GB
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial">,</SPAN></FONT><SPAN lang=EN-GB> </SPAN><FONT
face=Arial><SPAN lang=EN-GB style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial">which causes smallpox, be
undertaken beginning in 2010. The WHA asked that the results of that research -
and conclusions concerning the need for any further research - be presented to
the 64<SUP>th</SUP> World Health Assembly in 2011. </SPAN></FONT><o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=Section1><FONT face=Arial size=3><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> </SPAN></FONT><o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=Section1><FONT face=Arial size=3><SPAN lang=EN-GB
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">The economic burden
of</SPAN></FONT><B><SPAN lang=EN-GB style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">
</SPAN></B><B><FONT face=Arial><SPAN lang=EN-GB
style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">oral
disease</SPAN></FONT></B><FONT face=Arial><SPAN lang=EN-GB
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> is predicted to grow rapidly worldwide,
particularly in disadvantaged and poor populations, unless oral preventive
programmes are implemented. The WHA resolution urges WHO to provide advice
and technical support for strengthening oral health programmes at country,
regional and global levels, in collaboration with other UN organizations, WHO
collaborating centres and NGOs.</SPAN></FONT><o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=Section1><FONT face=Arial size=3><SPAN lang=EN-GB
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">The WHA passed a resolution urging
<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Member</st1:PlaceName>
<st1:PlaceType w:st="on">States</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> and the Secretariat
to increase investment in, and strengthen efforts towards</SPAN></FONT><B><SPAN
lang=EN-GB style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold"> </SPAN></B><B><FONT face=Arial><SPAN
lang=EN-GB style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">health
promotion</SPAN></FONT></B><FONT face=Arial><SPAN lang=EN-GB
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> as the cornerstone of primary health care and a core
function of public health. </SPAN></FONT><o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=Section1><FONT face=Arial size=3><SPAN lang=EN-GB
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">The Assembly adopted a resolution
on</SPAN></FONT><B><SPAN lang=EN-GB style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">
</SPAN></B><B><FONT face=Arial><SPAN lang=EN-GB
style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">emergency trauma care
systems</SPAN></FONT></B><FONT face=Arial><SPAN lang=EN-GB
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial">, which draws the attention of governments to the
need to strengthen pre-hospital and emergency trauma care systems (including
mass casualty management efforts) and describes a number of steps governments
could take. It also invites WHO to scale up its efforts to support countries.
</SPAN></FONT><o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=Section1><FONT face=Arial size=3><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Member States approved the
resolution on strengthening of<B><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold"> health
information systems</SPAN></B> and enhancing WHO's work on health statistics in
general. They also called on the DG to strengthen the information and evidence
culture of WHO itself, and ensure the use of accurate and timely health
statistics in order to generate evidence for major policy decisions and
recommendations within WHO. </SPAN></FONT><o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=Section1><FONT face=Arial size=3><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Member States approved a resolution
and reiterated the importance of a coherent</SPAN></FONT><B><SPAN
style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold"> </SPAN></B><B><FONT face=Arial><SPAN
style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">research
strategy</SPAN></FONT></B> <FONT face=Arial><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial">for
WHO which will help to disseminate the outcomes of research and its utilization
in decision- and policy-making for more effective health policies.
</SPAN></FONT><o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=Section1><FONT face=Arial size=3><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Member States approved a resolution
on the control of<B><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold"> leishmaniasis,</SPAN></B>
which is recognized as one of the most neglected tropical diseases. Member
States were urged to encourage research on leishmaniasis control, to identify
appropriate and effective methods of control of vectors and reservoirs and find
alternative safe, effective and affordable medicines.
</SPAN></FONT><o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=Section1><FONT face=Arial size=3><SPAN lang=EN-GB
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">The Assembly endorsed the<B><SPAN
style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold"> Global Plan of Action on Workers'
Health,</SPAN></B></SPAN></FONT><SPAN lang=EN-GB> </SPAN><FONT face=Arial><SPAN
lang=EN-GB style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial">which aims to devise policy instruments on
workers health; protect and promote health at the workplace; improve the
performance of and access to occupational health services; provide and
communicate evidence for preventive action; and incorporate workers health into
other policies. During this year's opening plenary, the United Nations declared
the Palais des Nations a smoke-free environment indoors, recognizing the major
contribution of tobacco use to non-communicable diseases and preventable,
premature death.</SPAN></FONT><o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=Section1><FONT face=Arial size=3><SPAN lang=EN-GB
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> </SPAN></FONT><o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=Section1><FONT face=Arial size=3><SPAN lang=EN-GB
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">A progress report to the Assembly
describes</SPAN></FONT><B><SPAN lang=EN-GB style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">
</SPAN></B><B><FONT face=Arial><SPAN lang=EN-GB
style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">noncommunicable disease</SPAN></FONT></B><FONT
face=Arial><SPAN lang=EN-GB style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> activities in advocacy,
surveillance and population-based prevention since the year 2000. A
resolution urges Member States to strengthen national efforts in
noncommunicable disease (NCD) prevention and control and also calls for an
action plan for the prevention and control of NCDs to be presented to
the 61<SUP>st</SUP> WHA in 2008.</SPAN></FONT><o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=Section1><FONT face=Arial size=3><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">The Assembly held lengthy
discussions on public-health problems caused by the harmful use
of</SPAN></FONT><B><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold"> </SPAN></B><B><FONT
face=Arial><SPAN
style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">alcohol</SPAN></FONT></B><FONT
face=Arial><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial">. Delegates agreed that the issue
will be discussed again at the WHO Executive Board in January,
2008.</SPAN></FONT><o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=Section1><FONT face=Arial size=3><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Keynote speakers at the Assembly
were the Prime Minister of Norway, Jens Stoltenberg, and the Executive Director
of UNFPA, Thoraya Obaid. The Prime Minister spoke of <st1:place
w:st="on"><st1:country-region
w:st="on">Norway</st1:country-region></st1:place>'s focus on Millennium
Development Goals 4 (child mortality) and 5 (maternal mortality), and announced
the establishment of a "Global Business Plan", to accelerate the progress
towards these MDGs. The UNFPA Executive Director Thoraya Obaid underlined the
areas of cooperation with WHO and urged delegates to focus on improving the
sexual and reproductive health of their populations.<BR><BR>Ms Jane Halton,
Secretary of the Department of Health and <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City
w:st="on">Ageing</st1:City>, <st1:country-region
w:st="on">Australia</st1:country-region></st1:place> was the Assembly President.
The Chair of Committee A was Dr Robinson Jean-Louis, Minister of Health and
<st1:City w:st="on">Family Planning</st1:City>, <st1:country-region
w:st="on">Madagascar</st1:country-region> and the Chair of Committee B was Mr
Thomas Zeltner, Secretary of State and Director of the Federal Office of Public
Health, <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region
w:st="on">Switzerland</st1:country-region></st1:place>.
</SPAN></FONT><o:p></o:p></P>
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<P class=Section1><B><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">For more
information:</SPAN></FONT></B><o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=Section1><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">WHO Department of Communications,
<st1:City w:st="on">Geneva</st1:City>,</SPAN></FONT><B><SPAN
style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold"> </SPAN></B><B><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Fadéla
Chaib:</SPAN></FONT></B><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> tel: + 41 22 791 32 28, mobile: +41
79 475 5556, email: </SPAN></FONT><A title=blocked::mailto:chaibf@who.int
href="mailto:chaibf@who.int"><FONT title=blocked::mailto:chaibf@who.int
face=Arial size=2><SPAN title=blocked::mailto:chaibf@who.int><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">chaibf@who.int</SPAN></SPAN></FONT></A><FONT
face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">;</SPAN></FONT><B><SPAN
style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold"> </SPAN></B><B><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Christine
McNab</SPAN></FONT></B><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">: tel: + 41 22 791 4688, mobile: +
41 79 254 6815, email: </SPAN></FONT><A title=blocked::mailto:mcnabc@who.int
href="mailto:mcnabc@who.int"><FONT title=blocked::mailto:mcnabc@who.int
face=Arial size=2><SPAN title=blocked::mailto:mcnabc@who.int><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">mcnabc@who.int</SPAN></SPAN></FONT></A><FONT
face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">;</SPAN></FONT><B><SPAN
style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold"> </SPAN></B><B><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Iain
Simpson</SPAN></FONT></B><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">: tel: + 41 22 791 32 15, <st1:City
w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Mobile</st1:place></st1:City>: + 41 79 475 5534,
email: </SPAN></FONT><A title=blocked::mailto:simpsoni@who.int
href="mailto:simpsoni@who.int"><FONT title=blocked::mailto:simpsoni@who.int
face=Arial size=2><SPAN title=blocked::mailto:simpsoni@who.int><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">simpsoni@who.int</SPAN></SPAN></FONT></A><FONT
face=Arial size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">. All WHO
Media Releases, Fact Sheets and Features as well as other information on this
subject can be obtained on internet on the WHO home page: </SPAN></FONT><A
title=blocked::http://www.who.int/ href="http://www.who.int"><FONT
title=blocked::http://www.who.int/ face=Arial size=2><SPAN
title=blocked::http://www.who.int/><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">www.who.int</SPAN></SPAN></FONT></A><FONT
face=Arial size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">.
</SPAN></FONT><o:p></o:p></P>
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