Ministers of health for the WHO Afro Region, during the 58th session of the WHO Regional Committee for Africa, reaffirmed their commitment to control tobacco use in the region.
See also Dr Margared Chan's speech. There was a statement about the need for cancer control but nothing specifically about tobacco (except within the final declaration?). There was a "side meeting" about tobacco control but no information about it. The same goes for the ceremony for the tobacco control awards.
African Ministers Against Tobacco Use - AllAfrica
September 8, 2008
Brenda Yufeh
Health ministers from African countries made a declaration on tobacco control in Africa the continent yesterday in Yaounde.
A lot is still undone as regards tobacco control in Africa. Statistics indicate that 25 per cent of youths are tobacco consumers in Africa. Dr Luis Sambo, World Health Organisation (WHO), Regional Director for Africa says tobacco users suffer from chronic diseases and the public at large deserves protection from secondary inhalation. That is why Ministers of health for the WHO Afro Region, during the occasion of the third meeting of the conference of the Parties to the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control holding, during the 58th session of the WHO Regional Committee for Africa, reaffirmed their commitment to control tobacco use in the region.
In a statement, the 46 ministers of health of the WHO African Region stood together and recommitted themselves to take all actions that can bring about effective tobacco control in all countries in the African region. The ministers also pledged to protect tobacco control policies vigorously from influence by the tobacco industry.
Another topic of importance during the 58th session is the health of women. "By Virtue of their multiple roles, women constitute a key link in the chain of development, and efforts must be made by African countries to ensure that women are in a state of physical, mental and social well-being to be able to carry out their numerous responsibilities." Dr Luis Sambo, in a report during the 58th session of the WHO Regional Committee for Africa made the call. He said a huge majority of African women are still unaware of their rights to health, education and life. He pointed out that many women continue to be victims of sociocultural discrimination, harmful practices, gender-based violence, forced marriages, early, unwanted and excessive pregnancies.
As such, the Regional Director has proposed a plan of action which countries should implement to improve women's overall well-being so as to enhance their contribution to development efforts throughout the region. The action plan includes the integration of women's issues into national policies, improved clinical services for women, strengthening the capacity of women.
Discussions yesterday also focused on the fight against cancer and the harmful use of alcohol. WHO has proposed strategies to prevent and control cancer. African countries were called upon to curb the harmful use of alcohol; a practice which, experts say, poses a serious threat to the region's health and development efforts.
Source: AllAfrica
September 8, 2008
Brenda Yufeh
Health ministers from African countries made a declaration on tobacco control in Africa the continent yesterday in Yaounde.
A lot is still undone as regards tobacco control in Africa. Statistics indicate that 25 per cent of youths are tobacco consumers in Africa. Dr Luis Sambo, World Health Organisation (WHO), Regional Director for Africa says tobacco users suffer from chronic diseases and the public at large deserves protection from secondary inhalation. That is why Ministers of health for the WHO Afro Region, during the occasion of the third meeting of the conference of the Parties to the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control holding, during the 58th session of the WHO Regional Committee for Africa, reaffirmed their commitment to control tobacco use in the region.
In a statement, the 46 ministers of health of the WHO African Region stood together and recommitted themselves to take all actions that can bring about effective tobacco control in all countries in the African region. The ministers also pledged to protect tobacco control policies vigorously from influence by the tobacco industry.
Another topic of importance during the 58th session is the health of women. "By Virtue of their multiple roles, women constitute a key link in the chain of development, and efforts must be made by African countries to ensure that women are in a state of physical, mental and social well-being to be able to carry out their numerous responsibilities." Dr Luis Sambo, in a report during the 58th session of the WHO Regional Committee for Africa made the call. He said a huge majority of African women are still unaware of their rights to health, education and life. He pointed out that many women continue to be victims of sociocultural discrimination, harmful practices, gender-based violence, forced marriages, early, unwanted and excessive pregnancies.
As such, the Regional Director has proposed a plan of action which countries should implement to improve women's overall well-being so as to enhance their contribution to development efforts throughout the region. The action plan includes the integration of women's issues into national policies, improved clinical services for women, strengthening the capacity of women.
Discussions yesterday also focused on the fight against cancer and the harmful use of alcohol. WHO has proposed strategies to prevent and control cancer. African countries were called upon to curb the harmful use of alcohol; a practice which, experts say, poses a serious threat to the region's health and development efforts.
Source: AllAfrica
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