LEIPZIG, Germany/GENEVA, Switzerland: The improvement of primary health care as well as pandemic influenza preparedness were some of the main resolutions adopted at this year’s World Health Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland. Last week, the 193 Member States adopted a final plan of action on public health, innovation and intellectual property which included an agreed list of stakeholders who will be involved in the process, as well as a time frame and progress indicators by which to monitor progress. The plan of action aims, among other things, to reduce exclusion and social disparities in health care systems worldwide and promotes public policy reforms to integrate health into all public sectors.

The WHO World Health Report 2008 recently found striking inequities in health outcomes and the access to care. Globally, annual government expenditure on health varies from as little as US$20 per person to well over US$6000. For 5.6 billion people in low- and middle-income countries, more than half of all health care expenditure is through out-of-pocket payments.

This year’s meeting in Geneva was closed after only five days to give senior high officials the chance to return to their home countries and prepare for a possible influenza pandemic.

During a high-level consultation on the new H1N1 virus, WHO Director-General Dr Margaret Chan said to consider criteria other than geographical spread when evaluating the phases of influenza pandemic alert. Dr Chan further stated that her decision would consider the scientific information available, and would be supported by advice from the Emergency Committee, a body of international experts established in compliance with the International Health Regulations. The Director-General outlined what might be seen, based on current knowledge, as the virus continues to spread over the coming weeks and months.

She called for close monitoring of the virus as cases begin to appear in the southern hemisphere, where the new virus will have opportunities to mingle with other currently circulating influenza viruses as the winter seasonal influenza epidemics begin.