The Regional Committee,

         Having considered the report of the Sub-Committee on Technical Cooperation among Developing Countries;*

        Recalling resolution WPR/RC35.R3;

        Noting resolution WHA38.23 on technical cooperation among developing countries in support of the goal of health for all;

        Recognizing that traditional medicine practices, particularly those of herbal medicine and acupuncture, constitute appropriate technologies which could be integrated into the national health strategies;

        Noting that herbal medicine and acupuncture are subjects which lend themselves particularly well to technical cooperation among Member States of the Region;

1. THANKS the Sub-Committee on Technical Cooperation among Developing Countries for its work;
2. URGES Member States:

   (1)  to review the status of herbal medicine and acupuncture in the light of the needs arising out of their health strategies and, where necessary, to initiate programmes for their development;

   (2)  to undertake research in herbal medicine and acupuncture as indicated by the status of development of these technologies;

   (3)  to share freely with each other their experiences in this field as well as information available on the subject, including their national formularies and the results of completed research;

   (4)  to incorporate relevant aspects of herbal medicine and acupuncture in the training of their health workers;

   (5)  to ensure the maintenance of high standards of training and practice in the field of traditional medicine, through such measures as licensing or the keeping of adequate records;

3. REQUESTS the Regional Director:

   (1)  to intensify efforts to promote among Member States greater awareness and recognition of the value of herbal medicine and acupuncture;

   (2)  to collaborate with Member States in the formulation and implementation of programmes for the development of herbal medicine and acupuncture;

   (3)  to support the exchange of information among Member States, including collaboration in the documentation of experiences, preparation of national herbal medicine formularies, or updating of existing ones;

   (4)  to encourage and support the conduct of research, including the investigation and evaluation of the efficacy and safety of herbal therapies;

   (5)  to strengthen national institutions and to designate them, where appropriate, as collaborating centres, with a view to their active participation in technical cooperation activities with other countries, including training courses, research and sharing of expertise;

   (6)  to mobilize further resources in support of herbal medicine and acupuncture in anticipation of the expansion of the traditional medicine programme.

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