Ukraine
23/Nov/09
The Ministry of Health of Ukraine met with the leadership of the MOH with representatives of the European office of WHO and representatives of the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in Ukraine. Participation in the meeting were Minister of Health of Ukraine V. Knyazevich, Deputy Minister I. Yakovenko, V. Yurchenko, heads of structural units of the MOH. From international experts were present: Deputy Regional Director of WHO / Europe NV Menabde, Program Director of Health WHO / Europe NV Emirohlu, UNICEF Representative in Ukraine Nakama Moku, Director WHO Office in Ukraine II Pokanevich,
Health Minister of Ukraine Vasyl Knyazevich thanked the experts of the World Health Organization for the speed of advice. He said that the government worked around the clock to resolve the problems facing the country during the outbreak of influenza A/H1N1 California. With the help of WHO could fix many things, but still several problems that must still be resolved. Vasily Knyazevich said that last year antyvaktsynalna company today has echoes and complicates the work of doctors to protect the population from infectious diseases. The Minister expressed hope that society has made findings and now the country’s leadership will not be on the sidelines to observe another popularization antyvaktsynalnyh slogans, and will inform the public about the real risks of infectious diseases. He recalled that shortly the scheduled meeting of the Academic Council, which is an advisory body to the Ministry of Health of Ukraine and composed of leading scientists on infectious diseases, epidemiology, virology, etc.. In addition, the Ministry of Health working together representatives of the Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine, offering their assistance in making decisions.
Deputy Regional Director of WHO / Europe NV Menabde expressed concern about the situation in Ukraine illness of influenza A/H1N1 California and noted the speed and professionalism with which Ukraine solves the problem. “You have the desire and ability to mobilize forces to keep the situation under control. We believe that adequate and proper measures taken by Ukraine in the treatment of patients,” - said Mrs. Menabde. She noted the need and importance of information support component of the theme of vaccination against influenza.
Menabde She noted that from a technical point of view of WHO recommendations on the need to give a vaccination against influenza A/H1N1 California. However, Ukraine as a country should itself decide whether or unreasonableness of its holding. This should be a political solution to the Government, the president and parliament to protect its citizens against pandemic influenza. International experts believe that there are no perfect solutions, and will always be forces that will use the counter, so the choice is less likely to challenge not only the Ministry of Health, but state leaders. In the state should be organized system of monitoring vaccination reactions and complications, focus on laboratory diagnosis. Menabde She said that the world is ahead of many problems, they are ambiguous and difficult in terms of any guarantees.
Asked whether Ukraine could rely on humanitarian assistance in the event of a decision on the need for vaccination, the WHO experts stressed that this issue difficult. Any manufacturer whose vaccine supplied to Ukraine would have to guarantee that vaccine will not be discredited, as happened with humanitarian aid last year, and will remain unused in warehouses at a time when other countries ask for help.
According to WHO, currently the world uses 65 mln.doz vaccine in 16 countries. In Europe, vaccination process began all countries that had its own production or purchase access. In addition, vaccination is continuing in Russia, Turkey and soon it begins in Macedonia, and Serbia.
Chief State Sanitary Doctor of Ukraine Alexander Bilovol, referring to international experts, said: “We ask a special advisory support from WHO to make a decision on the issue of vaccination to prevent a repetition of the situation that occurred in Kramatorsk, and a radically changed attitude toward immunization in the state” . He noted that the repetition of the scenario around the theme of vaccination would mean that the country will remain completely unprotected in front of infectious diseases.
To improve the situation of informing the public about risks associated with vaccines and infectious diseases, to be able to match these risks, UNICEF Representative in Ukraine Nakama Moku offered assistance to Ukraine to conduct an information campaign so that was a conscious choice of citizens and sober.
Health Minister of Ukraine Vasyl Knyazevich at the end of the meeting thanked for the assistance of international experts invited to participate in the operational headquarters and expressed hope for further fruitful cooperation in the combat pandemic influenza in Ukraine. Particular support line ministries in matters pending legislative support immunization, laboratory diagnostics, and improved registration of post-reactions, and many others.
http://www.moz.gov.ua/ua/main/press/?docID=14167