DECISION ON THE INTERIM REPORT ON HIV/AIDS,
TUBERCULOSIS, MALARIA AND POLIO
The Assembly:
1. TAKES NOTE of the Interim Report;
2. ALSO TAKES NOTE with satisfaction, of the institutionalization of AIDS Watch Africa (AWA) at the AU Commission;
3. ENDORSES the detailed strategies on health systems development, reducing disease burden and promoting child survival considered by Assembly;
4. COMMENDS the Global Fund Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria for holding its Ninth Board Meeting in Africa from where a decision was taken to launch Round Five funding for projects against these diseases, and; CALLS UPON the international community, especially the rich industrialized countries, to fully fund the Global Fund in line with previous commitments made in this regard, and taking into account the magnitude of the health emergency presented by these diseases in Africa;
5. FURTHER COMMENDS the sustained national, continental and international efforts to combat these diseases and promote health and development in Africa;
6. REAFFIRMS its commitment to invest increased resources in health and to address internal obstacles impeding their utilization;
7. URGES Member States to:
a) Take the lead in TRIPs negotiations and in implementing measures identified for promoting access to affordable generic drugs;
b) Ensure that every child receives polio immunization in 2005;
c) Prepare inter-ministerial costed development and deployment plans to address the Human Resources for Health crisis;
d) Prepare health literacy strategies to achieve an energized continent-wide health promotion endeavour;
8. URGES Member States to intensify efforts towards more effective and well-coordinated implementation of national programmes to promote health systems development as well as improve access to prevention, treatment, care and support; along the “Three ones initiative”; the “3 by 5 Strategy” and Global “Child Survival Partnership”;
9. RESOLVES to take all the necessary measures to produce with the support of the international community, quality generic drugs in Africa, supporting industrial development and making full use of the flexibility in international trade law and; REQUESTS the AU Commission within the framework of NEPAD to lead the development of a Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Plan for Africa;
10. CALLS UPON the International Community to match the US$19 billion gap in health financing which the WHO has determined that Africa is not in a position to self finance;
11. REQUESTS the AU to foster partnerships with the global community, the UN Agencies and RECs, and to coordinate a review of the MDGs and report to the next Assembly.