From: <b class="gmail_sendername">Alice Fabbri</b> <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:alealifab@gmail.com">alealifab@gmail.com</a>></span><br><div class="gmail_quote"><br><br><div class="gmail_quote"><div class="gmail_quote">
<div class="gmail_quote">The report is available at: <a href="http://www.ghwatch.org/sites/www.ghwatch.org/files/EB130_Day_7_Notes.pdf" target="_blank">http://www.ghwatch.org/sites/www.ghwatch.org/files/EB130_Day_7_Notes.pdf</a><span style="padding-right:16px;width:16px;min-height:16px"></span><span style="padding-right:16px;width:16px;min-height:16px"></span><span style="padding-right:16px;width:16px;min-height:16px"></span><span style="padding-right:16px;width:16px;min-height:16px"></span><span style="padding-right:16px;width:16px;min-height:16px"></span><span style="padding-right:16px;width:16px;min-height:16px"></span><span style="padding-right:16px;width:16px;min-height:16px"></span><span style="padding-right:16px;width:16px;min-height:16px"></span><span>
<div>I think this is the last mail, thanks again for forwarding all my messages to PHM Exchange!</div><div><br></div></span><p style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:center;line-height:150%" align="center">
<b><span style="line-height:150%;font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"" lang="EN-GB">Highlights from the seventh day of the 130th Executive Board</span></b></p>
<p style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:center;line-height:150%" align="center"><b><span style="line-height:150%;font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"" lang="EN-GB">Geneva, 23.01.12</span></b></p>
<p style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span style="line-height:150%;font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"" lang="EN-GB"></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><b><span style="line-height:150%;font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"" lang="EN-GB">United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development Rio+20 </span></b></p>
<p style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span style="line-height:150%;font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"" lang="EN-GB">While the proposed informal consultations
among Member States was welcomed, the US and the EU emphasized this should not
run in parallel to the process in New York. The US further believed such a consultation
should be held only once rather than being a process. Switzerland recognized
this but expressed full support for the consultations as they could contribute
to the development of a coherent national position. Thailand asked to broadcast the meeting on the web.</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span style="line-height:150%;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"" lang="EN-GB">Brazil, Mexico,
Switzerland and Estonia on behalf of the EU emphasized the importance of
getting health in the Rio+20 Conference. The Rio conference should acknowledge
health as a contributor to sustainable development and an indicator to measure
progress. Universal Health Coverage (UHC) should be an essential part of social
protection. They further pointed out the important links between the social
determinants of health and sustainable development. <br></span></p><p style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span style="line-height:150%;font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"" lang="EN-GB">The Director General
assured Member States that WHO did not want to set up a parallel process and
urged Member States to work towards policy coherence in their own government.
She noted that the social pillar is the weakest of the three pillars of
sustainable development (i.e. economical, social and environmental). She
recognized Switzerland comment and noted that “<i>we should be more skillful in the use of language”</i>.</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span style="line-height:150%;font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"" lang="EN-US">Click</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"" lang="EN-GB"><a href="http://www.ghwatch.org/sites/www.ghwatch.org/files/WHO%20EB130-%20MMI%20statement%20Rio%20+%2020.pdf" target="_blank">
here</a><span style="padding-right:16px;width:16px;min-height:16px"></span><span style="padding-right:16px;width:16px;min-height:16px"></span><span style="padding-right:16px;width:16px;min-height:16px"></span><span style="padding-right:16px;width:16px;min-height:16px"></span></span><span style="line-height:150%;font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"" lang="EN-US"> for
the PHM statement. on this agenda item. </span></p><span style="line-height:150%;font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"" lang="EN-GB"> <br></span> <p style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:150%">
<b><span style="line-height:150%;font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"" lang="EN-GB"> WHO REFORM (continued)</span></b></p>
<p style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span style="line-height:150%;font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"" lang="EN-GB">A written document was provided to
Member States.</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span style="line-height:150%;font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"" lang="EN-GB">The document summarizes
the conclusions of the Executive Board on WHO Reform:</span></p>
<ul><li><span style="line-height:150%;font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Symbol" lang="EN-GB"><span><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""></span></span></span><b><span style="line-height:150%;font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"" lang="EN-GB">Programmes
and priority setting</span></b><span style="line-height:150%;font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"" lang="EN-GB">:
programmes and priority setting will be discussed in a Member State-driven
process, which will include a meeting to be held in Geneva on 27-28th February
and open to all Member States. The Secretariat will provide documentation for
this meeting no fewer than seven days before the meeting. </span></li><li><span style="line-height:150%;font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Symbol" lang="EN-GB"><span><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><b><span style="line-height:150%;font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"" lang="EN-GB">Governance</span></b><span style="line-height:150%;font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"" lang="EN-GB">: Member States
are invited to submit their comments on this item through a web site before
17th February . Further consultations with Member States
will be required on WHO’s engagement with other stakeholders, including NGOs
and industry, and the proposals to review and update principles governing WHO
relation with NGOs, and to develop comprehensive policy frameworks to guide interaction
with the private-for-profit sector, as well as non-for-profit philanthropic
organizations. </span></li><li><span style="line-height:150%;font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Symbol" lang="EN-GB"><span><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""></span></span></span><b><span style="line-height:150%;font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"" lang="EN-GB">Managerial
reform</span></b><span style="line-height:150%;font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"" lang="EN-GB">: The Secretariat will
further elaborate the proposals for the predictable financing mechanism and the
contingency fund, based on the feedback from the EB at the present session, and
present these to the 131st EB through PBAC. Member States are invited to submit
their comments on the draft evaluation policy through a web site before 17th
February. Concerning stage one of the independent evaluation of WHO, the EB has
welcomed the offer of the External Auditor to carry out this step, and expects
that the report of stage one will be presented to the 65th WHA, and will
include a proposed road map for stage two of the independent evaluation.</span><b><span style="line-height:150%;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"" lang="EN-US"></span></b></li></ul>
<b><span style="line-height:150%;font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"" lang="EN-US">In preparation for the May meetings of the governing bodies,</span></b><span style="line-height:150%;font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"" lang="EN-US"> the Secretariat will prepare a
consolidated report covering all aspects of WHO reform for submission to the
65th WHA. In line with the desire of the EB to strengthen the oversight of the
PBAC, which already has a crowded agenda for a one day meeting, it was decided
that this particular May meeting of the Committee will be extended to three
days. It was also decided that the 131th Executive Board will be extended to
two days to ensure adequate time to consider the reform proposals. </span><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"" lang="EN-GB"></span></b>
<p style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"" lang="EN-GB"> Agenda
item 10.2 (C): Global Strategy and Plan of Action on Public Health, Innovation
and Intellectual Property </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"" lang="EN-GB">The EB discussed the progress report on the implementation of the Global Strategy and Plan of Action on
Public Health, Innovation and Public Health (GSPOA), adopted by resolution
WHA61.21. </span></p><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"" lang="EN-GB">Burundi,
speaking on behalf of AFRO, was of the view that the implementation of the
action plan remained slow and insufficient in certain areas. Burundi looked
forward to better funding for the GSPOA in the future, and highlighted the
element on strengthening R&D as particularly important to developing
countries. </span>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"" lang="EN-GB">Brazil commended
PAHO for building a platform on challenges in the Americas in the context of
the implementation of the GSPOA. Brazil noted that the WHO is approaching the
deadline of 2015 for the GSPOA implementation, and said they would like to see
more progress on level of indicators. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><b><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"" lang="EN-GB"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%">
<b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"" lang="EN-GB"></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"" lang="EN-GB">Agenda item 10.2 (D): Smallpox eradication:
destruction of variola virus stocks </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"" lang="EN-GB"><br></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"" lang="EN-GB">There were only
two interventions from Member States on this agenda item, Nigeria on behalf of
AFRO, and Iran, a non-EB Member. <br></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"" lang="EN-GB">Nigeria,
speaking on behalf of AFRO, noted that resolution WHA60.1 requested a review of
the membership of the Advisory Committee on Variola Virus Research, so that it
includes experts from developing countries in a way which ensures geographical
representation. That said, Nigeria requested that an expert from AFRO be
included in the Committee. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"" lang="EN-GB">Nigeria also
expressed its concerns that variola virus might exist elsewhere, besides the
known stocks, and that it could be released with the purpose of causing harm,
and called for measures to prevent unauthorised access to the virus. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"" lang="EN-GB">Iran expressed
its concern regarding the report, saying that according to the Review on
smallpox research conducted by the Advisory Group of Independent Experts
(AGIES), there are no compelling scientific reasons for retaining the virus
stocks. However, according to Iran, the recommendations of the Review had not
been taken into account, and new research being conducted is inconsistent with
the conclusions of the Advisory Committee on Variola Virus Research (ACVVR) and
the global consensus reached on this matter.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"" lang="EN-GB"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"" lang="EN-GB">Agenda item 10.2 (G): Viral hepatitis </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"" lang="EN-GB">The EB discussed the disease as contributing to the global burden of
disease, and as particularly affecting developing countries. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"" lang="EN-GB">Cameroon,
speaking on behalf of AFRO, noted that viral hepatitis is endemic in most
African countries. Cameroon also gave an overview of several achievements at
the viral hepatitis front in African countries e.g. moving towards safe
injections practice, safe transfusions and infant immunisation with Hepatitis B
vaccine. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"" lang="EN-GB">There are still
several challenges facing African countries in this regard, as pointed out by
Cameroon, most of which could be met with proper health systems strengthening,
such as the limited availability of accurate data, vaccine procurement and the
difficulty of reaching children for immunisation.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"" lang="EN-GB">The USA said
that there is no mechanism for routine collection of information related to
viral hepatitis, and that there are two issues to address: access to diagnosis
and access to second line drugs that are still poorly available. </span></p>
</div></div>
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