25 May 2007
World Health Assembly Grants Indonesia's Demand
The World Health Assembly, during the 60th meeting in Geneva, Swiss, granted Indonesia's request for a more transparent mechanism as regards sending bird flu virus samples.
Because of this, developed countries will no longer be able to take advantage of poor countries attacked by bird flu.
“The resolution will bind all members of the World Health Organization (WHO),” wrote I Nyoman Kandun, Director General of Disease Control and Environmental Improvement at the Health Department, in a short message to Tempo yesterday (23/5).
Earlier, Indonesia refused to send H5N1 virus samples to the WHO's collaboration laboratory.
The reason for this is the virus, that must be given freely by infected countries, will later be used for research, including for producing bird flu vaccines.
The problem is, the vaccine made by developed countries will then be sold at an expensive price to the infected countries.
“Bird flu virus is provided free from developing countries, but medicinal companies take on a patent on the vaccines and sell it at an expensive price,” said Health Minister Siti Fadilah Supari.
According to Kandun, in the future the resolution will be followed up with cooperation among governments and among divisions.
The cooperation is aimed at revising the term of reference and documents on virus shipping.
“Virus shipping must be done transparently, responsibly and beneficially for all sides in maintaining the world's health,” he said.
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source
Because of this, developed countries will no longer be able to take advantage of poor countries attacked by bird flu.
“The resolution will bind all members of the World Health Organization (WHO),” wrote I Nyoman Kandun, Director General of Disease Control and Environmental Improvement at the Health Department, in a short message to Tempo yesterday (23/5).
Earlier, Indonesia refused to send H5N1 virus samples to the WHO's collaboration laboratory.
The reason for this is the virus, that must be given freely by infected countries, will later be used for research, including for producing bird flu vaccines.
The problem is, the vaccine made by developed countries will then be sold at an expensive price to the infected countries.
“Bird flu virus is provided free from developing countries, but medicinal companies take on a patent on the vaccines and sell it at an expensive price,” said Health Minister Siti Fadilah Supari.
According to Kandun, in the future the resolution will be followed up with cooperation among governments and among divisions.
The cooperation is aimed at revising the term of reference and documents on virus shipping.
“Virus shipping must be done transparently, responsibly and beneficially for all sides in maintaining the world's health,” he said.
_____
source
Labels: Health, Indonesia, Internet News
