Yaoundé, 5 September 2008 -- The 58th Session of the World Health Organization Regional Committee for Africa ended in Yaoundé, Cameroon on Friday 5th September 08.

The Committee deliberated on a range of issues such as women’s health, cancer prevention and control, harmful use of alcohol, strengthening public health laboratories, iodine deficiency, patient safety, oral health strategy, programme budget, amendment of the Medium Term Strategic Plan, the Ouagadougou and Algiers declarations.

In his closing remarks, the WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Luis Gomes Sambo, said: “The time has come for action to address these important emerging public health issues and member states should give priority to their implementation and set up robust monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to track progress”.

“The Regional Office would start the process for establishing the African Health Observatory as this will be a tool for monitoring progress and for sharing best practices”, he added.

He commended delegates for endorsing the establishment of a Commission on Women’s Health and the designation of 4th September as the African Women’s Health Day. The Commission will gather evidence-based information that will provide fresh impetus for renewed national and international efforts to address this pressing concern that we all share for women in the region.

The Regional Committee adopted resolutions on women’s health, strengthening laboratory capacity and a number of strategies related to harmful use of alcohol, cancer control and iodine deficiency.

Dr Sambo highlighted the vital role of civil society and intersectoral collaboration and reiterated WHO AFRO’s continued commitment to support Member States in their efforts in collaboration with partners not only to implement the recommendations of this committee but in improving the health outcomes of their communities.

The Regional Director expressed his gratitude to the government and the people of Cameroon for hosting this year’s session. Rwanda will host the 59th session of the Regional Committee in September next year.

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