The Work of WHO in the South-East Asia Region
Report of the Regional Director 1 July 2008–31 August 2009 Highlights of the Work of in the South-East Asia Region
Member States maintained progress Health in South-East Asia
Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 New challenges emerged
Health impact Climate change Global economic downturn
Pandemic (H1N1) 2009
Communicable Diseases
Tuberculosis Global targets of 70% case detection achieved in 9 countries
Tuberculosis Prevalence reduced Mortality declined
Malaria Mortality reduced slightly
Malaria challenges Drug resistance Containment of newly emerged artemisinin resistance
Avian influenza Number of reported human cases significantly decreased
Leprosy Two countries have yet to achieve the global elimination target
Kala-azar Decline in incidence Case fatality marginally increased
Yaws The Region set to achieve eradication target
Cholera and Diarrhoea Outbreaks of acute watery diarrhoea with significant fatality reported
Noncommunicable diseases Cause of 54% of all deaths in the Region
Noncommunicable diseases Emphasis on preventive measures.
Noncommunicable diseases WHO training package pilot tested
Tobacco Tobacco use kills nearly 1.2 million people annually in the Region
Tobacco
Family and Community health Millennium Development Goals 4 and 5
Primary Health Care Urgent need for scaling up maternal and child health services
Neonatal mortality continues to pose a challenge Neonatal mortality
Immunization Low coverage
Increase in global food prices Increase in food prices threatens food security
Iodine Deficiency Disorders Impact of Iodine Deficiency Disorders on growth and development
Sustainable Development and Healthy Environments Country capacity building
Occupational health Community-based occupational health services
Protecting human health from Climate Change
Indoor air pollution Indoor air pollution kills children under five annually in the Region
Primary Health Care
Use of herbal medicines
Information Management Two new libraries established in Bhutan and Timor- Leste
Network of Medical Councils
Health workers Trained community health volunteers Increasing community based health workers Regional Strategy on Health Workforce
Health Ministers Meeting New Delhi Declaration
Regional Committee
Regional budget 81% voluntary contributions
Strengthening country capacity Long term sustainable health development
WHO workers in the field