South Asian countries to implement International Health Regulation

Thimphu, Sep 1 (UNI) Countries of the South-East Asian region today pledged to commit themselves to implementing International Health Regulations and prepare to respond systematically and properly to health emergencies.

Health Ministers from eleven member states of WHO's South East Asia Region adopted the "Thimphu Declaration on International Health Security in the South-East Asia Region". The Declaration recognises natural and man-made health emergencies, emerging infectious diseases and climate change as threats to international health security.

The Declaration focuses on commitment to the International Health Regulation, systematic emergency preparedness and response. It supports the establishment of the South-East Asia Regional Health Emergency Fund. It also calls on countries to develop national mitigation and adaptation plans to address the health impact of global warming and climate change.

The meetings of the Health Ministers of the SEAR countries are an important forum for considering regional health issues, common approaches and development of inter-country collaborations and strategies. Thimphu is hosting the 25th Health Ministers Meeting this year.

In his inaugural address, Prime Minister of Bhutan Lyonpo Kinzang Dorji listed some of the key public health achievements in Bhutan. He noted that no polio case had been reported since 1986, and leprosy and Iodine deficiency disorders have been eliminated.

Bhutan has achieved universal child immunization, nearly 90 per cent of rural water supply coverage as well as basic health care services for all citizens. He said that the primary health approach had been instrumental in attaining these public health successes.

Dr Samlee Plianbangchang, WHO Regional Director for South-East Asia said that the avian influenza outbreaks in the Region had shown the vulnerability of countries to cross- border disease outbreaks.

He underlined the significance of the Thimphu Declaration and said it "Elaborates the threats posed to human health either by climate change or other international and inter-related factors and the need for regional solidarity to meet these threats".

WHO Director-General Dr Margaret Chan recognised the commitment of the SEAR Member countries to poverty reduction and said, "Your commitment shows great political courage in the face of a challenge magnified many times in this most populous region in the world". Dr Chan also commended Bhutan's commitment to Gross National Happiness as the best measure of true progress in development. She said that this objective is closely aligned with the comprehensive definition of health set out in WHO's Constitution.

UNI