Marc Danzon, left, and Tomica Milosavljevic
Author:
Fonet
Speaking at a press conference held at the end of the 57th session of the WHO Regional Committee, Milosavljevic pointed out problems faced by obese people, and specified that some 25% to 30% of people in Serbia are obese, and 18% are overweight.
WHO Regional Director for Europe Marc Danzon warned that the global child mortality rate is still high, and inadequate health facilities are a huge obstacle in realising WHO goals.
Danzon explained that there are huge differences between the East and West in the WHO European region, so that the mortality rate of children younger than five years in certain countries is 40% more than in other countries.
According to Danzon, there are huge differences also between different areas within countries, so that not a single country fulfills WHO goals which relate to child mortality rate.
He recalled that the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which are focused on the health of mother and child, were agreed upon in 2000, concern the fight against non-infectious diseases and other key issues which concern public health.
Danzon stressed that national plans for health workers are needed which could increase direct investment in training of future employees in the health sector, while providing present workers an opportunity to develop their careers.
At the 57th session of the WHO Regional Committee the six-year Plan for Food and Nutrition Policy was adopted, which demands reduction in intake of fat and sugar by 10% and reduction of salt intake by five grams daily.
The problems of migration of health employees and the realisation of MDGs by 2015 were also discussed at the session.
The WHO, whose seat is in Geneva, is divided into six regional offices – Africa, USA, East Mediterranean, South East Asia, West Pacific and Europe.
The WHO Regional Committee holds session once every year, and the meeting for the upcoming year will take place in Tbilisi, Georgia.