Brussels, 02/07/2004 (Agence Europe) - In Brussels on Friday, the European Commission and the World Health Organisation concluded a strategic partnership to boost their co-operation for health in developing countries (see yesterday's EUROPE, p.13). The agreement, which was signed in front of the press by Commissioners David Byrne (Health) and Poul Nielson (Development), and the WHO Director, Dr Lee Jong-wook, will provide a framework for more systematic co-operation, to bolster the activities of both organisations, by stressing improving the health of mothers, reversing the advance of HIV/Aids, malaria and other transmissible diseases, and strengthening systems for generating information about the performance of health systems.
David Byrne welcomed this partnership, "which contains a multi-annual work programme for the joint priorities of the EU and the WHO". He spoke warmly of the close collaboration between the organisations, referring to the international convention on tobacco control, which was signed by 165 countries and ratified by 21 parties, including the European Union ("we need 40 ratifications, we are on the right track", he said). He also cited the fight against obesity, on which the WHO has just published a global strategy, and the future involvement of a WHO member in the European disease monitoring centre, which will be up and running in 2005.
Poul Nielson stressed that the aim of this partnership was to create structure for dialogue, between an important provider of funds for health and education, and the WHO, which has the authority and scientific expertise needed, especially in reproductive health and the campaign for vaccination against polio, which is concentrating on Nigeria. "I announced that the ACP countries have given their agreement to reallocate resources for the European Development Fund to mobilise 55 million EUR for this polio eradication scheme". Dr Lee Jong-wook welcomed the "pooling of experience", and spoke of the WHO's concerns on the bird 'flu pandemic, polio- a plague in developing countries-, "and a potential problem for Europe if it is not eradicated in the poor countries in which it is endemic", and Aids, a huge problem in Africa, India, China, and countries on the EU's doorstep "such as Russia, Moldova, and Ukraine".