The Regional Committee,
Having considered the Regional Director's report on leprosy in the Western Pacific Region;*
Noting resolution WHA44.9 on the global elimination of leprosy as a public health problem by the year 2000;**
Appreciating the rapid progress made by the Action Programme for Elimination of Leprosy in the Region, as evidenced by multidrug therapy coverage of over 95 % and the significant reduction in number of cases during the last eight years;
Confident that early case detection, multidrug therapy and upgraded managerial capabilities will further decrease the number of cases;
Recognizing the substantial support for leprosy control being provided by external funding agencies, nongovernmental organizations and other partners;
Aware of the high priority accorded by Member States to the elimination of leprosy as a public health problem;
- DECIDES to continue to make the utmost effort to eliminate leprosy as a public health problem in all countries and areas of the Region by the year 2000;
- URGES Member States:
- (1) to further promote political, financial and social commitment, mobilizing community action through health education efforts and advocacy;
- (2) to strengthen national capacity so as to ensure early detection and effective monitoring of progress towards elimination;
- (3) to sustain leprosy awareness after the goal of elimination of leprosy has been achieved;
- (4) to ensure that prevention and management of disabilities become integral to patient care in health facilities;
- THANKS the many partners already collaborating in the Action Programme for Elimination of Leprosy;
- REQUESTS international partners to continue their support for national activities aimed at the elimination of leprosy as a public health problem in all countries of the Region;
- REQUESTS the Regional Director:
- (1) to strengthen regional technical capacities to support planning, training and supervision within national leprosy programmes, and the improvement of national disease surveillance systems;
- (2) to seek the additional extrabudgetary resources required.
* WPR/RC46/14
** Defined as the reduction of prevalence to a level below one case per 10 000 population