The Work of WHO in the South-East Asia Region
The Work of WHO in the South-East Asia Region Biennial Report of the Regional Director 1 January December 2009 The Work of WHO in the South-East Asia Region
Collaborative work continued to address many health problems prevalent in the Region South-East Asia
Communicable Diseases
Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 The pandemic and other natural calamities severely challenged health systems
Pandemic (H1N1) 2009
Antiviral drugs and vaccine were rapidly deployed
Tuberculosis TB prevalence rates declined by nearly 50 per cent
HIV 3.5 million people with HIV Half are coinfected with TB
HIV Only 40% of people living with HIV/AIDS receive antiretroviral treatment
Malaria Resistance to artemisinin has emerged as a big challenge Environmental management needs further attention
Dengue Number of dengue cases increased Number of deaths declined
Polio The number of polio-affected districts was reduced by a third
Leprosy Leprosy control activities adapted and implemented in all endemic countries globally
Kala-azar Kala-azar elimination programme expanded in Bangladesh, India, and Nepal Elimination of lymphatic filariasis and kala-azar targeted for 2015
Yaws Yaws eliminated in India
Diarrhoea and Pneumonia Regional Strategic Framework to combat diarrhoea and respiratory infections developed
Zoonoses 75% of new human pathogens can be traced to animals Regional Strategic Framework for Zoonoses developed
Antimicrobial resistance Regional strategy for antimicrobial resistance developed Antimicrobial resistance will be the theme of World Health Day 2011
Noncommunicable diseases
Cardiovascular diseases, cancer, chronic lung diseases and diabetes account for 54% of all deaths
Tobacco control Global Adult Tobacco Surveys data released in Bangladesh and Thailand
Injury prevention Member States are taking initiatives in injury prevention and road safety
Disabilities
Health Promotion Regional Strategy for Health Promotion developed
Health-related MDGs Task Force established to monitor progress on health- related MDGs
Regional framework for implementing the WHO- recommended Reproductive Health Strategy
Member States adopted a strategic framework to strengthen response to the health needs of adolescents
Regional strategy on early childhood development was developed and shared with Member States
Vaccines Regional strategic framework for improving and sustaining immunization coverage drafted Ten Member States established national advisory committees for immunization practices
Technical assistance to respond to the impact of climate change on food production and consumption provided to six Member States
Healthy ageing Regional consultation on developing a strategic framework for active and healthy ageing
Sustainable Development and Healthy Environments
Climate change Generic research protocols developed to assess the impact of climate change on several diseases
Occupational health Capacity to implement the Global Strategy for Occupational Health for All and the Global Plan of Action for Workers’ Health assessed
Natural disasters Support provided through the South-East Asia Regional Health Emergency Fund South-East Asia Disaster Health Information Network established
Essential drugs and medicines Regional meetings organized on medicine pricing, the patent pool and pharmacovigilance
Country Cooperation Strategies finalized for Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand and Timor-Leste
In addition to US$ 322 million from voluntary contributions US$ 3.7 billion were received by Member States from the Global Fund
WHO in South-East Asia