The World Health Assembly (WHO), begins its annual meeting on Monday with delegations from more than 190 countries will meet in Geneva from May 22nd to the 27th.
Brazil and Kenya have announced plans earlier this week to put pressure at the WHO assembly, for more funds to combat neglected diseases, including HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. Kenya and Brazil are planning to introduce a resolution to overhaul the way medical research and development is done. But for one group supporting the resolution, the humanitarian organization “Doctors Without Borders” there seems to be much opposition to the proposed changes.Davy Koech, director of the Kenya Medical Research Institute, while confirming the joint plan, said that the developing countries were suitably equipped to provide new solutions for old diseases. But he explained that it was very difficult to get support for research and development into diseases that affect the poor. He went on to explain that this was so as there is no profitable market.
The new resolution considers concerns such as the need for appropriate, effective and safe tools for patients living in resource-poor settings and the urgency of developing new medicines to address emerging health threats.
The World Health Organisation has estimated that US$3 billion should be allocated annually for health issues affecting developing nations.
