[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]In response to the emerging challenge of conflicts of interest in nutrition, the Department of Nutrition for Health and Development at WHO headquarters convened a WHO technical consultation on “Addressing and managing conflicts of interest in the planning and delivery of nutrition programmes at country level” in Geneva, Switzerland, on 8–9 October 2015.
The consultation on this complex issue is the beginning of a process with the aim of developing risk assessment, disclosure, and management tools to safeguard Member States against conflicts of interest in nutrition programmes. The ultimate goal is to help promote the Comprehensive implementation plan on maternal, infant and young child nutrition as part of the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.
The outcomes of this consultation informed the WHO Secretariat report which was presented to the Executive Board at its 138th session in January 2016 and which will be discussed at the Sixty-ninth World Health Assembly in May 2016. In early April 2016, the United Nations General Assembly in New York adopted a landmark resolution which proclaimed 2016–2025 the United Nations Decade of Action on Nutrition. WHO will work with governments and other relevant stakeholders, including international and regional organizations, civil society, academia and the private sector, to actively support the implementation of the United Nations Decade of Action on Nutrition. In this context, WHO’s role is to provide evidence-based policy advice to its Member States, to disseminate examples of best practice, to encourage political commitment and to lead international action. Appropriate handling of conflicts
of interest is also needed and WHO is committed to assisting with practical tools, based on the outcomes of this consultation and the wealth of experience that countries are now developing.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Globally, and particularly in low- and middle-income countries, health budgets are under strain to meet the challenge of preventing the growing prevalence of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs).
Many countries have developed fiscal mechanisms to help finance the health sector and health programmes, including raising tobacco excise taxes and dedicating some of the revenue to a specific fund. Raising tobacco taxes high enough, through a well-designed, well-administered tax policy system, and thus raising the prices of all tobacco products, is one of the most costeffective, efficient measures for reducing tobacco use and tobacco-related morbidity and mortality (1).
In addition to increasing the effectiveness of excise tax systems to increase revenues, governments are encouraged to consider using fiscal policies to reduce consumption of harmful goods such as tobacco. Further, a number of countries have channelled some of the increased tax revenue into increased funding for health programmes. This fiscal policy is also aligned with Article 6 of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC ), “Price and tax measures to reduce demand for tobacco”, and its guidelines for implementation, which recommend that countries dedicate revenue to fund tobacco control and other health promotion activities (2). Article 26 of the WHO FCTC requires all Parties to secure and provide financial support for the implementation of various tobacco control programmes and activities to meet the objectives of the Convention. Tobacco excise taxes have also been identified as a revenue stream for financing the post-2015 Sustainable Development Goals (3).[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_btn title=”Download Now” color=”primary” align=”center” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sancda.org.za%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2017%2F06%2F2016-WHO-Earmarked-Tobacco-Taxes-1.pdf|||”][/vc_column][/vc_row]
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Childhood obesity is reaching alarming proportions in many countries and poses an urgent and serious challenge. The Sustainable Development Goals, set by the United Nations in 2015, identify prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases as core priorities. Among the noncommunicable disease risk factors, obesity is particularly concerning and has the potential to negate many of the health benefits that have contributed to increased life expectancy. The prevalence of infant, childhood and adolescent obesity is rising around the world. Although rates may be plateauing in some settings, in absolute numbers there are more children who are overweight and obese in low- and middle-income countries than in high-income countries. Obesity can affect a child’s immediate health, educational attainment and quality of life. Children with obesity are very likely to remain obese as adults and are at risk of chronic illness.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_btn title=”Download Now” color=”primary” align=”center” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sancda.org.za%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2017%2F06%2F9789241510066_eng-1.pdf|||”][/vc_column][/vc_row]
Summary: 1st WHO essential diagnostic list focusing on mainly communicable diseases with a recommendation to include more NCDs in a future edition. PHC and facility level essential package. Vicki Pinkney-Atkinson
Improving NCDs diagnosis & treatment outcomes
Today, many people are unable to get tested for diseases because they cannot access diagnostic services. Many are incorrectly diagnosed. As a result, they do not receive the treatment they need and, in some cases, may actually receive the wrong treatment.
For example, an estimated 46% of adults with Type 2 diabetes worldwide are undiagnosed, risking serious health complications and higher health costs. Late diagnosis of infectious diseases such as HIV and TB increases the risk of spread and makes them more difficult to treat.
Essential Diagnostics List (EDL)
To address this gap, WHO today published its first Essential Diagnostics List (EDL), a catalogue of the tests needed to diagnose the most common conditions as well as a number of global priority diseases.
“An accurate diagnosis is the first step to getting effective treatment ….No one should suffer or die because of a lack of diagnostic services, or because the right tests were not available.”
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General.
The list concentrates on in vitro tests – i.e. tests of human specimens like blood and urine. It contains 113 products: 58 tests are listed for detection and diagnosis of a wide range of common conditions, providing an essential package that can form the basis for screening and management of patients. The remaining 55 tests are designed for the detection, diagnosis and monitoring of “priority” diseases such as HIV, TB, malaria, hepatitis B and C, human papillomavirus and syphilis.
Some of the tests are particularly suitable for PHC facilities, where laboratory services are often poorly resourced and sometimes non-existent; for example, tests that can rapidly diagnose a child for acute malaria or glucometers to test diabetes. These tests do not require electricity or trained personnel. Other tests are more sophisticated and therefore intended for larger medical facilities.
“Our aim is to provide a tool that can be useful to all countries, to test and treat better, but also to use health funds more efficiently by concentrating on the truly essential tests,” says Mariângela Simão, WHO Assistant Director-General for Access to Medicines, Vaccines and Pharmaceuticals. “Our other goal is to signal to countries and developers that the tests in the list must be of good quality, safe and affordable.”
For each category of test, the EDL specifies the type of test and intended use, format, and if appropriate for primary health care or for health facilities with laboratories. The list also provides links to WHO Guidelines or publications and, when available, to prequalified products.
Similar to the WHO Essential Medicines List, which has been in use for four decades, the EDL is intended to serve as a reference for countries to update or develop their own list of essential diagnostics. In order to truly benefit patients, national governments will need to ensure appropriate and quality-assured supplies, training of healthcare workers and safe use. To that end, WHO will provide support to countries as they adapt the list to the local context.
The EDL was developed following an extensive consultation within WHO and externally. The draft list was then considered for review by WHO’s Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on In-Vitro Diagnostics – a group of 19 experts with global representation. For more information see WHO website.
WHO will update the Essential Diagnostics List on a regular basis. In the coming months, WHO will issue a call for applications to add categories to the next edition. The list will expand significantly over the next few years, as it incorporates other important areas including antimicrobial resistance, emerging pathogens, neglected tropical diseases and additional NCDs.
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The World Health Organization (WHO) published the first edition of the Model List of Essential In Vitro Diagnostics (EDL) in May 2018, in recognition that IVDs are an essential component to advance universal health coverage, address health emergencies, and promote healthier populations, which are the three strategic priorities of the WHO Thirteenth General Programme of Work (2019–2023) (GPW). The EDL is also intended to complement the WHO Model List of Essential Medicines (EML) and enhance its impact.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_btn title=”Download Now” color=”primary” align=”center” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sancda.org.za%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2018%2F05%2FWHO_EDL_2018-1.pdf|||”][/vc_column][/vc_row]
