The Regional Committee,
Recalling resolution WPR/RC31.R23 on acute respiratory infections;
Recalling also the continuing massive morbidity and the high premature mortality from acute respiratory infections in many developing countries;
Noting with satisfaction recent progress in developing a regionwide programme;
Recognizing that sufficient technology and information are available to allow Member States to initiate prevention and control programmes in a phased manner;
Recognizing also that further research is necessary on the microbiology and epidemiology of acute respiratory infections;
Acknowledging with gratitude the contributions already made from extrabudgetary sources;
- URGES Member States:
- (1) to give serious consideration to the designation of a national focal point or group, in order to assess the magnitude of acute respiratory infections as a public health problem and promote and coordinate control activities for acute respiratory infections, either at national level or in one or more selected areas;
- (2) to formulate control programmes for acute respiratory infections which can be implemented at the primary health care level and to initiate these programmes in a phased manner;
- (3) to train health and other relevant personnel, as appropriate, in acute respiratory infections control, with emphasis on primary health care;
- (4) to increase awareness of acute respiratory infections as a public health problem and of the value of general preventive measures in national health education programmes;
- REQUESTS the Regional Director:
- (1) to continue to implement the regional programme for the control of acute respiratory infections;
- (2) to promote health services research on acute respiratory infections in support of the development of control programmes;
- (3) to continue to strengthen cooperation with Member States in further investigating the microbiology and epidemiology of acute respiratory infections in defined populations, using standardized methodology;
- (4) to promote methods for intercountry cooperation in the research and control of acute respiratory infections;
- (5) to continue to collaborate with multilateral and bilateral sources of extrabudgetary funding in support of national acute respiratory infections programmes.