UNITED NATIONS NATIONS UNIES
W O R L D H E A L T H O R G A N I Z A T ï С M
ORGANïSATICN MONDIALE DS LA SANTÉ
EXECUTIVE BOARD EB3/58
18 February 1949 ORIGINAL: ENGLISH Third Session
J REPORT ON THE MEDICAL SUPPLY SECTION
During the first Health Assembly, the Bulgarian Delegation proposed the astablishnent of a bureau of medical supplies,^ and the Delegation of Czechoslovakia proposed the establishment of a
2
procurement office. In its third report, vihich was approved by tne Health Assembly, the Committee on Programme recommended the setting up of a bureau to give advice on the procurement of essential drugs, biological products and other medical supplies, special consideration to be given in case of emergency^ and also recommended that the
^ '3 proposal be referred to the Executive Board for study and action.
The Executive Board at its second session authorized the Director- General to implement the policy laid down by the Health Assembly.
The Medical Supply Section was established within the Secretariat on 1 January 1949, and a Chief of Section appointed. During its short time of operation, the Section has already supplied considerable
advice and information sought by Governments and by specialists within the Secretariat on advisory and demonstration services. An
investigation was carried out on the inplications of the proposal made by the International Red Cross Conference at Stockholm on the
4 uniformity of medical equipment for military and civilian needs.
Preliminary investigations are being made in the possibility of encouraging production in countries possessing raw materials but unable to manufacture finished products. As a step in this direction the Section is taking part in the TOiO-ECE project for the
rehabilitation of UNRRA penicillin plants in Europe. Estimates of world needs for and production of penicillin will be based on
information submitted by governments» The allocation of 1949 funds to governments for medical literature and special teaching equipment has just been coirpletedi and a catalogue library is being conçiled。
A/26
A/Progo/24
A/78 Rev、。1 page 11 EB2/38 EB3/32
ЕВЗ/58 page 2
.' . ‘ , . ‘ ；•
• • • : . . . , f ••；
UNESCO has offered the assistance of its Scientific Apparatus Information Bureau。 As soon as working arrangements are concluded, the facilities of the Pan American Sanitary Bureau will also be available in the Western Hemisphere
A further progress report will be submitted to the second World Health Assembly。
