AEGiS-IFRC: Press Release: Red Cross Red Crescent and WHO to step up collaboration in South and South-East Asia to respond to AIDS and other health emergencies

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2003. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

Press Release: Red Cross Red Crescent and WHO to step up collaboration in South and South-East Asia to respond to AIDS and other health emergencies

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Cresent Societies - 10 September 2003

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies today formally agreed with the World Health Organization to step up collaboration on the prevention and control of communicable diseases such as HIV/AIDS in 11 countries of South and South-East Asia.

The International Federation will also seek to boost a safe regional blood supply by promoting voluntary non-remunerated blood donations in addition to enhancing collaboration in preparing for, and responding to, emergencies and disasters in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, India, Indonesia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Timore-Leste.

While much has been done to improve the public health of many communities since WHO's Alma Ata Health for All declaration 25-years ago, health inequities continue to be unbearably high, declared Murli S. Deora, vice-president of the International Federation at the signing of the memorandum of understanding in Delhi today.

"Millions of people in this region, including groups that are highly vulnerable such as the displaced people, commercial sex workers, men having sex with men and injecting drug users made vulnerable by HIV/AIDS remind us in the most dramatic way that Health for All remains a far away dream for too many," said Deora who is also vice chairman of the Indian Red Cross.

He attacked the stigma and discrimination which is fuelling the AIDS epidemic in the region. "There is a humanitarian and public health imperative to provide basic health care to all populations, without discrimination and based on vulnerability and principles of social inclusion, not exclusion," he added.

He called for the actions of Red Cross and Red Crescent volunteers throughout the region "to be supported by ministries of health through resources, through supportive legislation and policy environments, through clearly defined roles and responsibilities for National Societies, and other measures that can facilitate Red Cross Red Crescent volunteer action."

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