World Association of Societies of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine (WASPaLM)

World Health Organization

Executive Board 115th Session January 17th - January 19th 2005

Report of Dr. U. P. Merten, WASPaLM NGO Representative to WHO

On Sunday before the EB meeting there was an in official NGO meeting in WHO headquarters during which officers of WHO informed NGO of some items of the EB agenda they though interesting and for which WHO may seek support by NGO’s.

The agenda listed:

Welcome by Dr Kazem Behbehani, Assistant Director-General

Introduction to the Executive Board Agenda by Dr Bill Kean, Director, Governance

Item 4.3: Responding to Health aspects of crisis By Dr D N Nabarro, Representative of the Director-General, Health Action in Crisis
Item 4.2: Achievement of health related MDG’s (Millennium Development Goals): Status report by Dr A Cassels, Director, Health and Development Policy
Item 4.9: Antiretrovirals and developing countries by Dr H V Hogerzeil, Director, Medicines Policy and Standards
Item 4.13: eHealth by Dr J-C Healy, Director, Office of Assistant Director-General, External relations and Governing Bodies

This was quite general but specific questions could be forwarded and suggestions made. In future, being prepared according specific items on the Agenda, this is one way to enter discussion.

On Monday the meeting took place in WHO Head Quarters as usual, this year having more than 550 attendees - again officials and diplomats being primary actors. Agenda see WHO website ( www.who.org)

During the opening session on Monday morning Dr Lee, WHO Director-General, focused on the tsunami and WHO response to the situation. From “Abraham Lincoln” a US carrier floating in the sea near ACEH, Indonesia a direct audio TV message was sent with speeches from an US admiral, an Indonesian official and a representative of WHO. Information handed to the delegates are attached to this report. The presentation was spectacular and impressive. WHO obviously was using the situation to foster the preparedness of governments to support their work. This was supported by a report an “Protecting health following the Asian Tsunami” (attachment 1)

The EB decided a change of the agenda as it was agreed to place after the speech of the Secretary General a discussion concerning Influenza pandemic preparedness and response.

See Attachment 2: Responding to health aspects of crisis.

The discussion on Influenza pandemic preparedness and response indicated the necessity for national governments to act.

Further there was a discussion on the “Achievement of the health-related Millennium Development Goals: status report”. Attachment 3. Targets related to pathology are “ reduce child mortality, improve maternal health and combat HIV/AIDS, Malaria and other diseases”. Again it was proclaimed: “Health is too important to leave it to the doctors alone” In Attachment 4 you find the “Proposed programme budget 2006-2007”. This may help to recognize pathology related project of WHO.

On Monday noon the Dr. Merten met Dr. Vercauteren (WHO-Essential Health Technologies) A report of this meeting is attached.

For further information ( i.e. reports concerning SARS, Smallpox, Poliomyelitis and Measles) these can be copied from WHO website www.who.org

Summary:

There is few space for WASPaLM related activities but through cooperation with EHT WASPaLM could reach a permanent stronghold.

Items to be followed by WASPaLM should be:

- education of young pathologists in countries in need.

- expansion of external quality assessment schemes (EQAS) countries in need.

- patient’s right to know that health related studies of their specimens is performed only under the responsibility of a pathologist.

Cologne, February 12th, 2005

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