ORGANIZATION WORLD HEALTH

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UNITED NATIONS NATIONS UNIES

WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION

THIRD WORLD HEALTH ASSEMBLY

ORGANISATION MONDIALE DE LA SANTÉ

A3 /Progj30 23 ^{May 1950}

ORIGINAL: ENGLISH COMMITTEE ON PROGRAMME

DRAFT SIXTH REPORT

At its eighteenth, nineteenth and twentieth) meetings held on 22 and 23 May the Committee on Programme took the following decisions:

1. Production of synthetic vitamins in underdeveloped countries

The Committee on Programme recommends to the Third World Health Assembly the adoption of the following resolution :2

The Third World Health Assembly

1. NOTES the report of the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Nutrition on the difficulties of the manufacture of vitamins in under -

developed countries;

2. NOTES the Executive Board's comment that the most satisfactory way of improving nutrition is by the provision of natural foods in such quantities and proportions that the diet is we]l balanced and supplies in sufficient amounts all the nutrients needed for health;

3. RESOLVES that the World Health Organization should supply to any country manufacturing or contemplating the manufacture of synthetic vitamins any information or assistance which may be available.

2. Joint Activities of WHO and UNICEF

The Committee on Programme recommends to the Third World Health Assembly the adoption of the following resolution:

1 At its twentieth meeting the Committee on Programme elected Mrs. Daw Khin Kyi Aung San (Burma) as Vice -Chairman and Dr. Joseph Oren (Israel) as Rapporteur to replace Dr.. Juan Allwood- Paredes (Salvador) and Dr. N.

Karabuda (Turkey) who had to leave Geneva before the close of the Assembly.

2 This resolution was adopted at the 17th meeting of the Programme Committee.

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210AreaaJthe, First World Health Assembly recommek1,40,thoti.pending '''the'''g.SSUmPtion of responsibility by the world Health Organization, the health projects financed by UNICEF be established by mutual agreement between UNICEF and the world Health Organization, and that the implementation of these projects be regulated by a Committee on Health Policy composed of representatives of the two organizations acting with the advice of the expert committees of the World Health Organiza-

tions; and

Whereas the joint Committee on Health Policy was established and has laidd9wh:prineiple gaverning.the-ce-operative-r6llitiófiShips -- between UNICEF and WED, which have been approved by the respective Executive Boards of UNICEF and WHO, and

Whereas the Second World Health Assembly approved a report submitted by the WHO members of the JCHP on certain aspects of these relations; and

Whereas the WHO members óf the JCHP have submitted to the Third World Health Assembly a report on joint activities with UNICEF;

The. Third World Health Assembly

1. NOTES with satisflaction the extent to which joint UNICEF/WHO

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activities have been developed to assist governments in meeting their health problems related to mothers and children;

2. NOTES that in acc9rdance with the co-operative principles governing the relationships of UNICEF and WHO, the two agenciei have carried out their respective roles, namely;

(a) UNICEF, in accordance with its Chattér,-fa fUrnishing under its agreeMents with governments', the required supplies and services for health projects technically approved by WHO and qpproved for operation by the Executive Board zf-UNICE7,- and further, in accordance with paragraph (e) of the governing principle s, is reimbursing WHO-fbr":serviees whichare'provided beyondthe'limitatiensof the resources of WHO,

1 ^.

Document A3/105

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(b) WHO, as the UN specialized agency reco_nized as the directing and co- ordinating authority on international health work, is carrying out its responsibility to make available to governments, upon their invitation, the international experts required to assist in drawing up plans of operation for UNICEF health Pro - grammes; is considering, and in appropriate cases giving technical approval to all health programmes requested by governments from UNICEF; is providing international expert health personnel agreed

with governments as necessary for the implementation of their health programmes for the protection of children, such personnel being under the technical direction and supervision of WHO regional and headquarters offices; and is providing the services specified above, subject to reimbursement by UNICEF in respect of that portion of such services which is beyond the limits of the resources of WHO;

3. APPROVES the action taken by the Director -General in fulfilling the role of WHO under the principles guiding relationships between UNICEF and WHO;

4. URGES the Joint Committee on Health Policy to continue to examine the application of the principles governing the relationships between UNICEF and WHO, with a view to assuring their full implementation in carrying out the intent of the Charter of UNICEF, paragraph 4(c), which reads:

"To the maximum extent feasible, the utilization of the staff and technical assistance of specialized agencies, in particu- lar of the World Health Organization or its Interim Commission, shall be requested, with a view to reducing to a minimum the separate personnel requirements of the Fund ". (General Assembly Resolution 57 /(I) it December 1946)

and to assuring the fulfilment by WHO of its technical responsibilities as the directing and co- ordinating authority on international health work;

5. APPROVES the report of the WHO members of the Joint Committee on Health Policy; ^and

6. REQUESTS them to report on activities and decisions of the Joint Committee to the Executive Board and the Fourth'urorld Health Assembly;

and furthermore,

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Whereas the Scandinavian Co- ordination Committee has decided to terminate its responsibility for BCG vaccination programmes in connexion with the Joint ,nterprise;

Whereas the Director- General in his letter of 2 February 1950, to the Executive Director of UNICEF, stated that the ;;orld Health Organiza- tion is willing to undertake all the technical functions necessary to assist governments, jointly with UNICEF, in carrying out BCG programmes in the light of the experience accumulated in the BCG campaigns, and of the recommendations.of the Expert Committees on Tuberculosis and

Biological Standardization; and

6 hereas in undertaking all such technical functions for the further imlementation of BCG vaccination programmes, jointly with UNICEF, it is of basic importance to assure:

(a) continuity of service to governments requesting assistance on tuberculosis work, including BCG vaccination, during the period when WHO is assuming responsibility for the integration of the BCG vaccina-

tion programme with its general tuberculosis service;

(b) technical direction by WHO for any joint or combined WHO /UNICEF.' a

tuberculosis service;

(c) financing on a basis comparable to that now in operation in the Joint .Lnterprise;

(d) progressive integration of the BCG vaccination programme with the WHO Tuberculosis Advisory Service until a single combined international tuberculosis service is achieved which shall be co- ordinated with and, not later than 1 July 1951, be made a part of the WHO programme of advisory health services, retainin such name as shall have been given to it under the agreement;

(e) co- ordination of the WhO tuberculosis research programme with the combined WHO /UNICEF tuberculosis service;

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The Third .orld Health Assembly

1. APPROVES the action of the Director- General in his letter of 2 February 1950 to the Executive Director of UNICEF, accepting responsibility for all technical functions necessary to assist governments

jointly with UNICEF in carrying out BCG programmes;

2. DIRECTS the attention of the Joint Committee on Health Policy to the recommendations of the WHO Expert Committee on Tuberculosis for integration of BCG vaccination programmes into the general tuberculosis

control programmes;

-3. APPROVES the application of the JCHP principles governing

' relationships between UNICEF and WHO to such integrated tuberculosis control programmes; and ^.

4. AUTHORIZES the Director -General, subject to any relevant decisions taken by the Executive Board to negotiate an agreement with UNICEF for the integration of the BCG vaccination pro;ramme.now administered by the Joint Enterprise with the WHO tuberculosis. advisory service, taking into consideration the above -mentioned conditions, and to accept funds for the implementation of such a joint service.

3. Co- operation with the United Nations Relief and üdorks Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Nëar East

Whereas the Executive Board at'its second session authorized the Director- General in consultation with the Chairman of the Executive Board, within the limits of any resources made available for this...p rpos.e, to take

the necessary emergency measures, under the terms of Article 28 (i) of the Constitution, to deal with events requiring immediate action in connexion with the health situation of Palestine Refugees,1 and

1 Off. Rec. world Hlth Org. 14, 18, paragraph 1.4

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Vühereas.in accordance with the provisions of Chapter II, Article 2, paragraphs (a), (b), (e) and (i) of the Constitution, the Director- General responded to thé request of the Secretary- General of the United Nations in December 1948 and assumed responsibility for the technical co- ordination

of the. health programme administered by the United Nations Relief for Palestine Refùgeds, and

Whereas (the Joint pealth Policy. Committee at its third session approved a health programme in connection with the United Nations Relief for Palestine Refugees, and

Whereas the FScecutive Board at its third session3 approved the action taken by the Director -General in connection with the health programme of the United Nations Relief for Palestine Refugees which included assigning to UNRPR a Chief Medical Officer and a Medical Officer, and making available to UNRPR a grant of $50,000 from the UNRRA Special Fund, and

Whereas the Health Assembly at its second session resolved that technical aisistance in this field be continued by the World Health Organization in 1950 through the United Nations as, an emergency measure and that an amount be provided for in the Budget for 1950 to meet this expenditure, and

Whereas the Director -General continued in 1950 to assign to UNRPR a Chief Medical Officer and a Medical Officer and made available to UNRPR a second grant of $50,0005 from the UNRRA Special Fund,6 and

Whereas the Third Health Assembly has noted resolution 302(IV) adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations at its fourth session which establishes the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, with specific reference to paragraph 18 thereof which reads:

2

Ibid. 22, 46, paragraph 16.1

3 Ibid. 17, 12, paragraph 3.3

4 Ibid. 21, 46, WHA 2.76

' Ibid. 21, 47, Appendix I

6

Ibid. 22, 46, paragraph 16.1

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"URGES the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund, the International Refugee Organization, the World Health Organization, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization; the Food and Agricul- ture Organization and other appropriate agencies and private groups and organizations, in consultation with the Director of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near, East, to furnish assistance within the framework of the programme ". And

Whereas the Third World Health Assembly has noted with approval the letter dated 25 April 19507 sent by the Director- General of the World Health Organization to the Director, United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, and

Whereas the Third World Health Assembly has noted with approval , the Principles8 to govern relationship between the World Health Organization and the United, Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees'in the Near East proposed by the Director -General to the Director of UNRWAPRNE in the above -mentioned letter dated 25 April 1950,

1. APPROVES the action taken by the Director -General só far, and Desiring to respond to the request of the General Assembly of the United Nations expressed in paragraph 18 of its resolution 302(IV).in so far as. the financial resources of the World Health Organization will allow,

2. CONSIDERS that in accordance. with the provisions of Chapter II, Article 2, paragraphs (a), (b), (e) and (i) of its Constitution, the World Health Organization should continue the technical direction of the health programme administered by the United Nations Relief arid Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East;

3. CALLS the attention of the Director -General to the need for giving Special attention to the education, health and recreation of children in

(refugee) camps;

7 Document A3/79, Annex I

8 Ibid. A3/79, Annex II

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4. APPROVES the Principles proposed by the Director -General to govern relationship between WHO and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East;

5. RESOLVES that the World Health Organization should continue to assign a Chief Medical Officer and a Medical Officer to United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the'Near East; and

6. REQUESTS the Director- General to negotiate an agreement with the Director of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East on the basis of the above Principles and to report to the Executive Board at its seventh session concerning the

outcome of such negotiations.

4. Regulations for Expert Advisory Panels and Committees

1. ADOPTS provisionally the Draft Regulations for Expert Advisory Panels and Committees as approved by the Executive Board at its fifth session,1 and amended as follows:

item 2.2 to read:

"Expert Committees, unless so requested, shall not advise WHO on questions of its internal sdministrative .olicy;"

item 6.1, paragraph 2 to read:

"such period shall terminate if ^. ^. ^."

2. REQUESTS the Executive Board to review the clauses of the Regulations, and to submit a revised text to the Fourth World Health Assembly.

5. problem of_rolif eration and overlapping_ of programmes of the United Nations and of specialized agencies.

1 Off. Rec. World Hlth Orq., 25, 41 - 1 -

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NOTES and ENDORSES the decision of the Executive Board concerning proliferation and overlapping of the programmes of the United Nations and

specialized agencies.l

6. Establishment of national WHO committees

The Committee, on Programme recommends to the Third World Health Assembly the adoption of the following resolution:

1. APtROVES and endorses the view expressed by the Executive. Board that WHO National Committees can carry out a number of essential sup- porting and advisory functions for the benefit of the Organizátion

as well as for national administrations; and

2. ASKS the Executive Board and the Director -General to take appropriate action in the light of the discussion at the Third World Health Assembly.

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Continuing needs of children

The Third World Health Assembly,

Having noted the resolutions of the Executive Board, taken at its fourth and fifth sessions;2

Having noted the, resolution of the Social Commission taken at its sixth,sessionj3

1 Off. Rec. World Hlth Ors. 25, 6.1.2

2 Off. Rec. WHO 22, 6, item 2.2 and Off. Rec. WHO 25, 17, item 6.2,2

3 UN Document E /CN.5/217

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Having in mind the statement by the UN Administrative Committee on Co- ordination in its Seventh Report to the Economic and Social Council;1 1. CONSIDERS that, in the future development of international programmes for children, the principle should be adopted of utilizing to the maximum the services of the approp : ,.a.; e.,,p.ermanent.:.sp.eciali.zed agencies, and that

any special machinery required by the United Nations in this field should be limited to what is necessary, for fund raising, for co- ordination of programme planning and, to the extent agreed between the agencies con- cerned, for the procurement and shipment of supplies.

2. REQUESTS the Director- General to present this resolution to the Secretary -General of the United Nations for submission to the eleventh session of the Economic and Social Council.

8. National Nutrition Committees

The Third World Health Assembly ^...

ENDORSES the action taken by the Executive Board in the matter of the formation of national nutrition committees.

9. Léon Bernard Foundation Prize

Considering that Article 1 of the Statutes of the Léon Bernard Foundation provides for the election for a period of five years of five experts in social medicine who shall .form the Léon Bernard Foun- dation Committee;

1 Excerpt from Seventh Report of the Administrative Committee on Co- ordination.

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Considering that the cost of convening this Committee, which would have to be met out of the funds of the Foundation, would seriously prejudice its objects,

The World Health Assembly

1. RESCLVES that Article 1 of the Statutes of the Léon Bernard Foundation be amended as follows:

Article 1

A Committee styled the "Léon Bernard Foundation Committee" shall be formed and shall be composed of the following members:

The Chairman and Vice -Chairmen of the Executive Board as such, and two persons serving on the Executive Board elected by the Board for a period not exceeding their term of office on the Board.

The Lirector- General of the World Health Organization shall act as Administrator of the Foundation and as Secretary of the Committee.

2. REQUESTS the Executive Board to establish a Léon Bernard Foundation Committee in accordance with the Statutes of the Foundation as revised. This Committee shall propose to the

Fourth World Health Assembly the award of the prize to the candidate selected by it.