|
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
Regional consultation on the
development of an updated global action plan for the prevention and
control of noncommunicable diseases (2013–2020)
Saudi
Arabia to ‘set the milestone tune’ for tuberculosis (TB) elimination
Iraqi parliamentary delegation received in the Regional Office
Seminar on applying the
banderole system in Egypt In collaboration with the WHO Representative’s Office in Egypt, the Regional Office held a one-day seminar to discuss the adoption and implementation of the banderole system with Egypt’s Ministries of Health and Population and Finance. An expert from Kenya shared his country’s successful experience in applying the banderole system to domestic, imported and exported cigarettes.
Banderole is an ‘enhanced tax stamp’ system; it is a cost-effective way for governments to: monitor tobacco production and movements, reduce non-compliance by tobacco manufacturers and distributors, and counter the illicit production and trade of tobacco products. It also can be linked to a real-time electronic monitoring system database for tax authorities, that records production/importation of various brands and other products right from factory premises or point of entry; thus helping in tax calculations, verifying market trends and also useful in reviewing tax policies on tobacco products.
Governments are encouraged to consider implementing such a tracking and tracing system on tobacco products, as this is one of the key provisions of the recently agreed draft ‘protocol to curb illicit trade in tobacco products’, that is expected to be adopted by the Parties to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control in the forthcoming Conference Session later this year.
Global health diplomacy: an emerging field
In his opening remarks to the gathering, Dr Alwan noted that the link between foreign policy and health is particularly relevant in a region where more than half of the countries are affected by acute or chronic crisis. It is important for the Region to look at how it can play a more constructive role in influencing global, regional and national health policy. Strong participation in WHO governing bodies is vital, as such forums have a major impact on health policy and on global health. Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies in Geneva
Cutaneous leishmaniasis still highly
prevalent in countries of the Region Cutaneous leishmaniasis is highly prevalent in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region. The disease is endemic in 18 out of the 23 countries and, despite not being fatal, it causes immense stigma affecting the social and economic well-being of affected people and communities. Cutaneous leishmaniasis is a potentially severe or disfiguring disease. Patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis have one or several long-lasting lesions on the skin, usually without fever or general symptoms.
EMHJ is pleased to announce the publication of the April issue, Volume 18 Number 4. World Health Day on 7 April 2012 focused on ageing and health with the theme “Good health adds life to years”. As many health problems in older age result from unhealthy lifestyles in earlier life (e.g. smoking, unhealthy diet, sedentary lifestyle), it is important to understand and, if necessary, change the habits of the young; a paper from Damascus assessed the dietary patterns and oral health in schoolchildren and showed that consumption of healthy food groups was low, whereas consumption of sugars was high. Mental health is an integral part of health across the life course and it is important to have appropriate diagnostic tools. A study from Egypt reports on a reliable and valid Arabic version of the Major Depression Inventory, a brief tool for assessing the presence of a depressive disorder. The work environment and behaviours at work can significantly affect both mental and physical health as found by studies from Jordan and Egypt. Psychiatric problems increase the risk of suicide and an Iranian study determined mental health issues and suicidal behaviour in adolescent prisoners; it found that 70% of them had at least one current psychiatric disorder and 12% had attempted suicide, suggesting a need to screen adolescent offenders for such disorders.
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Employment opportunities | Search | Useful Links | Copyright | Connect to remote exchange | Contact EMRO |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Information
about countries of the Region including different health
indicators
The
initial phase of a third schistosomiasis elimination campaign is currently
underway in Yemen. This phase of the campaign started on 14 May 2012 and is
expected to last until 17 May. The campaign is covering five governorates in
Yemen: Taiz, Sa’ada, Hadramout, Abyan and Albayda, and more than 2.4 million
people are expected to receive anti-schistosomiasis treatments, most of whom
will be school-aged children.
Riyadh,
Cairo –
A
high-level Iraqi delegation headed by Dr Liqa Al-Yassin, Chair of the Health
and Environment Committee of the Iraqi Parliament, was received today in the
Regional Office within the framework of a 2-day workshop on health system
strengthening. '
A
seminar on global health diplomacy is being held in the Regional Office on
6–7 May for senior officials from ministries of health and foreign affairs
from countries of the Region. The seminar is aimed at familiarizing
participants with the emerging field of global health diplomacy and
preparing them for discussions and negotiations on global health issues in
forthcoming sessions of WHO governing bodies, including the World Health
Assembly and related events. The seminar is being facilitated by experts
from the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies in
Geneva, which offers a 5-day course on global health diplomacy.
