Health experts from the eleven South-East Asian countries have called for developing a common strategy to tackle mosquito-borne diseases such as malaria, dengue and Japanese encephalitis, which are re-emerging in the region.

Attending a meeting of health ministers from the region, being hosted by India in New Delhi, the experts led by WHO director-general Dr Maragaret Chan also wanted the countries to focus on affordable medicines for the region. The series of meetings, which began on Monday, will conclude on Thursday.

Dr Margaret Chan said that Health ministers in the Region are concerned about climate change and rightly so. "All the experts tell us: robust health systems that reach the poor are the best protection against the health shocks of extreme weather events," she added. The ministers are reviewing health developments in the region and identifying challenges to provide policy direction for future action.

Among other health issues, the ministers will focus on the impact of climate change on human health and revitalizing primary healthcare. Union Minister for Health Dr Anbumani Ramadoss, WHO regional director for South-East Asia Dr Samlee Plianbangchang and other WHO experts are also attending the meetings.

Dr. Samlee Plianbangchang reiterated that climate change now poses a formidable challenge to human health in the Region. Noting that 2008 marks the 30th anniversary of the Alma Ata Declaration on Primary Health Care, Dr Samlee said, "Primary health care is considered to be the principal tool for public health interventions that can contribute effectively to reaching the un-reached; which is a prerequisite of equity and social justice in health," Dr Samlee stressed that while primary health care has significantly contributed to health of people around the world, the social goal of 'Health for all' was yet to be attained anywhere.

Dr Ramadoss focused on the increased burden of non-communicable diseases in India, and the need to protect the overall young population from the harmful affects of tobacco and alcohol. He proposed that 2nd October, the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, should be observed as "World No Alcohol Day". "Being the most populous region of the world with the greatest disease burden, we are united in our commitment to sustainable and equitable development to ensure human dignity. Promoting universal access to quality healthcare and affordable medicines is an important goal for our societies," he said.