AFR/RC25/R7:
The Regional Committee,
Considering resolutions EB55.R25,1 EB55.R262 and EB55.R663 in which the Executive Board at its fifty-fifth session defined the principles for preparing the Sixth General Programme of Work covering a specific period: 1978-1983;
Bearing in mind resolution AFR/RC24/R6 approving the suggestions made by the Regional Director for the preparation of the Sixth General Programme of Work;
Having examined the relevant report4 presented by the Regional Director,
1. APPROVES the report of the Regional Director and the approach followed in preparing the sixth General Programme of Work;
2. NOTES with satisfaction the regional emphasis given to the Organization’s medium- term programming;
3. CONSIDERS it essential to pursue all the general objectives contained in the report of the Regional Director;
4. RECOMMENDS the detailed objectives listed below for the African Region:
Development of health services
(i) to assist countries to strengthen their capacity for planning and management of health services including institutions and manpower at all levels;
(ii) to develop simple, low-cost and effective management techniques;
(iii) to develop improved methods for financing health activities;
(iv) to organize primary health care for under-served populations;
(v) to assist in the securing of a balance between preventive and curative health services and in the integration of promotive, preventive, curative and rehabilitative elements as appropriate to the needs of each country;
(vi) to encourage the setting up of public health laboratories for disease control and for the control of biological and chemical, diagnostic, prophylactic and therapeutical substances;
(vii) to promote health education and information for the public;
(viii) to prepare multi-sectorial policies and programmes in food and nutrition;
1 Off. Rec. Wld Hlth Org. , 1975, 223, p.15.
2 Ibid. , p.16.
3 Ibid. , p. 41.
4 Document AFR/RC25/10.
(ix) to institute a simple system of nutritional surveillance and measures for the control of nutritional deficiencies;
Disease prevention and control
(xi) to reduce morbidity due to disease, inter alia communicable diseases by means of vaccination, epidemiological surveillance and any other appropriate measures;
(xii) to consolidate smallpox eradication and set up the surveillance system;
(xiii) to strengthen malaria control;
(xiv) to prepare effective and economical methods for research on the prevention and control of communicable diseases;
(xv) to reduce the incidence of the mental diseases and prevent alcoholism, drug dependence and drug abuse;
Promotion of environmental health
(xv) to plan and develop environmental health policies and programmes associated with economic development plans;
(xvi) to plan water supply and wastes disposal services at national level;
Health manpower development
(xvii) to integrate the planning, training and utilization of health manpower within the context of national health plans and economic development plans;
(xviii) to promote the training of national staff able to apply a systematic approach to educational processes;
Promotion of research
(xix) to promote the collection, dissemination and application of existing and new scientific knowledge and research methods;
Mechanisms for programme development and support
(xx) to assist in the preparation, execution and evaluation of health plans, programmes and development efforts in accordance with periodically revised or confirmed policy;
(xxi) to promote the development and application of efficient management information and evaluation systems;
(xxii) to adjust socioeconomic development plans and activities in order to enhance health benefits and reduce health hazards;
(xxiii) to provide an adequate and appropriate response to emergency situations;
5. REQUESTS the Regional Director to transmit these recommendations to the Director-General.
September 1975, 25, xiv
