ABSTRACT
The International Health Regulations (IRH; 2005) are a legally binding international instrument for preventing and controlling the spread of diseases internationally while avoiding unnecessary interference with international travel and trade. Under the IHRs that were adopted on 23 May 2005 and entered into force on 15 June 2007; Member States have agreed to comply with the rules therein in order to contribute to regional and international public health security. Obligations also include the establishment of IHR National Focal Points (NFP) defined as a national centre designated by each Member State; and accessible at all times for communication with WHO IHR Contact Points. Furthermore; Member States were requested to designate experts for the IHR roster; enact appropriate legal and administrative instruments and mobilize resources through collaboration and partnership building. The Fifty-sixth session of the WHO Regional Committee for Africa called for the implementation of the IHR in the context of the regional Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) strategy considering the commonalities and synergies between IHR (2005) and the IDSR. They both aim at preventing and responding to public health threats and/or events of national and international concern. This document discusses the issues and challenges and proposes actions that Member States should take to ensure the required IHR core capacities are acquired in the WHO African Region
Subject(s)
Africa , Endemic Diseases , Health Plan Implementation , International Cooperation/legislation & jurisprudence , Public Health Surveillance , Social Control, Formal , World Health OrganizationABSTRACT
More than 30 years into the pandemic; HIV/AIDS remains a long-term development challenge in the WHO African Region which bears 69 of the global burden and has accounted for more than 70 of the world's AIDS-related deaths. While there has been a decline in the number of new HIV infections; prevalence in the Region remains unacceptably high; estimated at 4.8 in 2011 but much higher in southern Africa. There has been unprecedented political and financial commitment globally and in the Region towards the HIV response. This has led to scaling up of HIV/ AIDS prevention; treatment and care interventions in all countries. The results are encouraging as the number of new infections is decreasing in some countries and there is a reduction in HIV-related mortality as reported in 2010. To consolidate these gains; the Region will need to intensify efforts in HIV response by mobilizing domestic resources; optimizing the synergies between HIV and other health programmes and contributing to health system strengthening. A new WHO Global Health Sector Strategy (GHSS) on HIV/AIDS was adopted by the World Health Assembly in May 2011. The regional HIV/AIDS strategy provides directions for implementing the GHSS in the WHO African Region; taking into account the key regional specificities. The interventions proposed include scaling up prevention; eliminating new HIV infections in children; and expanding access to HIV testing and treatment. It is expected that this strategy will contribute to eliminating new infections among children; reducing new infections among young people and reducing HIV-related deaths. Strengthening health systems and reducing co-morbidities such as TB/HIV will be crucial to achieving the targets set in the regional strategy
Subject(s)
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome , Community Participation , Disease Transmission, Infectious , HIV InfectionsABSTRACT
La formation medicale sur la tuberculose (TB) et la lutte antituberculeuse (LAT) est l'un des elements essentiels de succes dans l'application d'un programme national de lutte contre la tuberculose (PNLT). En 2006; une enquete cooperative a permis d'evaluer l'impact des ateliers pedagogiques organises par l'Organisation Mondiale de la Sante (OMS) depuis 1998 jusqu'a 2003 dans 11 pays de la region africaine. Le but de ces ateliers etait de contribuer a l'amelioration de l'enseignement de la TB et de la LAT dans les ecoles de medecine des pays francophones de la region. L'objectif de cette etude est d'analyser les progres realises et les difficultes rencontrees depuis 2006 et de proposer des solutions pour renforcer le partenariat entre les ecoles de medecine et les PNLT