WHO policies & strategies

The WHO Regional Committee for Africa has passed a number of resolutions, including  AFR/RC58/R2 on strengthening public health laboratories; AFR/RC44/R15 on selection and development of health technologies at district level; AFR/RC49/R12 adopting the regional strategy on health technology policy; AFR/RC44/R12 on blood safety and AFR/RC51/R2 adopting the regional strategy for blood safety in the AFRO region in this area. These resolutions provide strategic directions for health technologies in the region. Additional documents (AFR/RC58/8) adopted by the Regional Committee on patient safety and a number of world health asssemply resolutions on organ donation and transplantation contribute to the strategic directions.

The following strategic approaches are to be adopted:

• Reduction in avoidable morbidity and mortality through improved access to safe blood and blood products and the appropriate use of blood transfusion
• Reduction in health-care associated transmission of disease through safe injections and infection prevention and control procedures
• Accessible, safe and reliable diagnostic imaging services
• Equitable access to safe, high quality, reliable and appropriate diagnostic technologies and laboratory services, with a particular focus through norms and standards
• Strengthened capacity in life-saving emergency and essential surgical care and availability and correct use of suitable equipment in primary health-care facilities
• Increased patient safety by ensuring through providing guidance to countries on the concepts and safe practices and procedures for patient safety
• Improved access to ethical, safe and suitable transplantation services, under the effective oversight of health authorities