HC Deb 04 July 1994 vol 246 cc77-8W
Mr. Worthington

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the World Health Organisation about the adequacy of its services in sub-saharan Africa; and what undertakings he has received about improvements.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

The World Health Organisation's activities in Africa, in common with its activities elsewhere, are examined each year by the WHO executive board, of which the United Kingdom is a member.

At World Health Assembly and WHO executive board meetings, we have supported WHO's efforts to improve the health conditions of the people in sub-Saharan Africa. At the May 1994 assembly, we supported resolutions requesting WHO to give special assistance to the peoples of Rwanda, and to continue its assistance to the peoples of Lesotho, Namibia and Swaziland and to those countries in sub-Saharan Africa affected by drought.

In reacting to a United Kingdom-chaired working group on WHO's response to global change, the organisation has undertaken to review the role of its country representatives—a matter of particular relevance to sub-Saharan Africa.