MANILA, Sept. 21 (Xinhuanet) -- The World Health Organization's Regional Committee for the Western Pacific has endorsed new plans designed to reduce the risk of infectious diseases, according to reports reaching here from Noumea, New Caledonia on Wednesday.
The new plans, suggested at the WHO meeting in Noumea, are included in an official document named the Asia Pacific Strategy for Emerging Diseases, which is a road map for countries in South-East Asia and the Western Pacific Regions to strengthen core capacities required for effective prevention and control of emerging infectious diseases.
Key steps formulated in the document aims to revise the International Health Regulations, a legal framework for detecting, notifying and responding to public health emergencies of international concern.
Addressing the Committee, WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific Shigeru Omi said a well developed plan of action is needed to effectively respond to these diseases.
He also stressed the need for resource mobilization and donor coordination.
Malicious epidemics are prompting the WHO Regional Offices in South-East Asia and the Western Pacific, in collaboration with member states, to develop a strategy to provide a regional tactical approach and build new partnerships against emerging diseases, Omi said.
The recent outbreaks of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)slowed economic growth in some affected countries, while bird flu damaged the poultry industry in parts of South-East Asia. Enditem
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