World Health Assembly adopts sickle cell resolution

Participants discussed who should receive benefits from uses of African traditional knowledge and medicinal biodiversity.

WHO reports that the four-day workshop ended Friday with guidelines for protection and promotion of African Indigenous medical knowledge.

Participants recommended model legislation that countries could adapt to protect locally held medical knowledge.

The consensus document considered legal recognition and the protection of African medicinal biodiversity.

WHO regional director Luis Sambo stressed community interests when discussing access, ownership and benefit-sharing.

The resolution urged countries to improve prevention, diagnosis, care and public awareness.

The assembly recognized that people living with sickle cell disease need sustained, accessible care.

The resolution addressed training and support for those affected by sickle cell anaemia.

The WHO regional director issued a message for the fourth annual observance on 31 August 2006.

The observance framed traditional practitioners as part of discussion on access to care across the continent.