This brief is for policy-makers in any ministry involved in designing assistive technology policies and programmes (such as ministries of health, finance and social welfare), especially those involved in designing universal health coverage programmes. It is also relevant for all stakeholders working in these areas. The brief highlights key challenges in ensuring equitable access to high-quality, affordable assistive technology and suggests actions to improve access within universal health coverage or any other national health/welfare programme.
An Informal Consultation on Stopping Discrimination and Promoting Inclusion of Persons Affected by Leprosy was held in New Delhi from 14 to 16 November 2017. Forty delegates with diverse backgrounds, experience and expertise enriched the discussions. Persons affected by leprosy brought to the table the challenges faced in daily life and suggested actions to be taken to reduce stigma and discrimination related to leprosy. Representatives of national programmes presented actions taken in their respective countries. The participants acknowledged the fact that stigma and discrimination related to leprosy still exists at a significant level. Information about stigma and discrimination related to leprosy needs to be collected in a more systematic manner to assess the magnitude of the problem and to further plan activities to reduce it.
Key recommendations from the consultation included counselling and reporting of incidences of discrimination. Efforts should be continued to inform facts about leprosy to the community.
The participants strongly recommended that leprosy programmes should adopt a ‘rights-based approach’ in line with the Sustainable Development Goals.
The objective of this instrument is to help stakeholders carry out assessments to measure the level of transparency and the vulnerability to corruption in selected areas of the public pharmaceutical sector. It provides an assessment methodology together with a questionnaire for national assessors to systematically collect information and perceptions through interviews of relevant health professionals in the public and private sectors
"The chapters and annexes of this book contain many examples of diverse experiences and practices, as well as extracts of laws and other law-related documents from different countries. These examples do not represent recommendations or 'models' to be replicated; rather, they are designed to illustrate what different countries are doing in the area of mental health, human rights and legislation
Three key elements of effective legislation are outlined: context, content and process - In other words, the 'why', 'what' and 'how' of mental health legislation. In addition, Annex 1 contains a Checklist on Mental Health Legislation, which can be used in conjunction with the Resource Book"
This report presents updated information useful for the formulation of a child and adolescent mental health care plan. The plan is based on the magnitude of the burden of child and adolescent mental disorders; advances made in treatment and diagnosis; barriers to treatment; and trends in care for children and adolescents with mental disorders
"Mental health legislation is essential for protecting the rights of people with mental disorders, who comprise a vulnerable section of society. This module provides information to help guide the development of mental health legislation. The module begins by setting out the activities that are required before legislation is formulated. The content of legislation is then described, including substantive provisions for specific mental health legislation and substantive provisions for other legislation impacting on mental health. Process issues in mental health legislation are then outlined, including drafting procedures, consultation and the implementation of legislation"
Note: This module is part of the WHO Mental Health Policy and Service Guidance Package. The package consists of a series of interrelated user-friendly modules designed to address the wide variety of needs and priorities in policy development and service planning. Each module addresses a core aspect of mental health
In this new edition guidelines are given on developing a national drug policy - a crucial ingredient in every country's national health strategy and an invaluable framework to identify national goals and commitments. This expanded and extensively revised second edition discusses key policy components. These include the selection of essential drugs, affordability , finance and supply, regulation and quality assurance, rational use, research, human resources, monitoring and evaluation.
Each chapter presents useful advice and references to other sources of more detailed technical information. A valuable resource for health professionals, policy-makers and researchers, the publication takes readers through the process of planning, developing, implementing and monitoring a comprehensive policy framework based on a country's unique needs, priorities and resources
This paper presents an overview of the development of drug regulation and the rationale for drug regulation. It also reviews the drug regulation situation in selected countries, examines key contributing factors to observed drug regulation weaknesses, and identifies the measures that must be taken to improve drug regulation
This publication provides an overview of women's mental health. It includes the significant mental health problems affecting women, education, training and community-based activities, policy and legislation issues, primary care and workplace interventions
This is a summary of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) in question-and-answer format. It explains what the convention is, how it will help international tobacco control, what it means for those economies dependent on tobacco, and arguments for adopting the FCTC
