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WHO has re-evaluated the way in which it should work, against a background
of improved understanding of the importance of multisectoral responses
which are required to achieve better health; the relationship between
improved health and poverty reduction; the emergence of the private sector
and civil society as important players to complement the evolving role
of the state; the increased involvement of development agencies in the
health sector; and the heightened importance of the safeguarding of health
in the proliferating occurrence of conflict and disaster.
In response to challenges emerging from this broadened context of international
health, WHO globally will:
- adopt a broader approach to health within the context of human development,
humanitarian action and human rights, focusing particularly on the links
between health and poverty reduction
- play a greater role in establishing wider national and international
consensus on health policy, strategies and standards by managing the
generation and application of research, knowledge and expertise
- trigger more effective action to improve health, and to decrease inequities
in health outcomes, by carefully negotiating partnerships and catalysing
action on the part of others
- create an organisational culture that encourages strategic thinking,
global influence, prompt action, creative networking, and innovation.
In so doing, it will draw on the respective and complementary strengths
of headquarters, and regional and country offices.
To realise the goals of building healthy populations and communities
and to combat ill-health, WHO has adopted four strategic directions which
provide the broad framework for focusing the technical work of the Secretariat:
- reducing excess mortality, morbidity and disability, especially in
poor and marginalised populations
- promoting healthy lifestyles and reducing the risk factors to human
health
developing health systems that equitably improve health outcomes, respond
to people's legitimate demands, and are financially fair
- developing an enabling policy and institutional environment in the
health sector, and promoting an effective health dimension to social,
economic, and environmental policy.
In the South East Asian Region, the Regional Declaration for Health Development
in the 21st Century has reaffirmed a commitment to the importance of access
to health care by all, through strengthening the capacity of the health
sector to develop mutual partnerships within the context of
strong regional solidarity. Regional parliamentarians have pledged to
take appropriate measures in response to effects of globalisation such
as the further marginalisation of the poor and the under-served, the need
for improved measures for health care financing, decentralisation, etc.
The 1999 Calcutta Declaration has called for the promotion of public health
as a discipline and an
essential requirement for further health development, through achieving
more evidence-based public health policies, reforming public health education,
and training.
Within WHO'S global priority areas of work, the Southeast Asia Region
(SEAR) will focus on malaria, HIV-AIDS, tuberculosis, maternal health,
tobacco, major non-communicable diseases, food safety, safe blood and
health systems. The region will also focus on diseases for eradication
and elimination (polio and leprosy), locally epidemic and endemic diseases
and environmental health risks.
Of the defined functions of the WHO Secretariat, the SEAR will emphasise
articulating and advocating evidence-based policies and strategies; maintaining
high level technical expertise for catalysing change; and enhancing partnerships.
In addition, the Region will sustain national and regional health development
capability. Particular attention will be paid to managing information;
setting and validating norms and standards; and developing and testing
new technologies, tool and guidelines.
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