In an immediate board approval, the World Health Assembly (WHA) passed a resolution on Friday regarding autism, which had been placed by Bangladesh last year.
The annual Assembly is the supreme decision making body of the World Health Organisation (WHO) which passes such resolutions. Passing a resolution means all 194 member states agree with it.
The assembly urged member states to include the needs of individuals affected by autism spectrum and other developmental disorders in policies and programmes related to child and adolescent health and development and mental health.
Autism spectrum disorders comprise a range of development disorders that include autism, childhood disintegrative disorder and Asperger syndrome. All over the world, most people with autism spectrum disorders and their families do not receive any care from health care and social care systems.
The passing of the resolution means the capacity of health and social care systems will increase in terms of providing services for individuals with autism spectrum disorders and their families. It also means the focus of care will be shifted from long-stay health facilities to non-residential services in the community.
With the resolution passed, health surveillance systems for capturing data on autism spectrum disorders will be improved and will ensure that countries are better able to diagnose and treat autism spectrum disorders.
The resolution highlights the need for the WHO Secretariat to help strengthen countries’ capacities to address autism spectrum and other developmental disorders, facilitate resource mobilisation, engage with autism-related networks and monitor progress. All efforts will be put in alignment with the WHO Mental Health Action Plan 2013–2020.
