Brazzaville, 29 August 2007 -- The World Health Organization proposes to spend US$ 1.2 billion in its African Region during the 2008-2009 biennium, representing 28.2% of the WHO global budget of US$ 4.2 billion for the two-year period.

This is contained in a report presented today by WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Luis Sambo, to the fifty-seventh session of the WHO Regional Committee for Africa taking place from 27 to 31 August in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo.

The budget allocation, approved by the World Health Assembly in May, represents an increase of 4.8% for Assessed contributions and 32% for Voluntary contributions, compared to the 2006-2007 Programme Budget.

The budget distribution shows that 51% of is allocated to countries and 49% to the regional office and inter-country support teams. The allocation to Inter-country support teams represents 15% percent and is earmarked to be spent directly in countries.

This brings the proportion of the total amount that will be spent directly in countries to 66%. The balance of 34% constitutes the real portion that will be managed at the Regional Office.

The proposed Programme Budget distribution reflects the emphasis on communicable diseases, in particular the global efforts towards polio eradication; and the efforts to tackle HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis, among others.

Guiding principles for the implementation of the programme budget include emphasis on results-based management, the decentralization, accountability for the implementation of the programme budget, greater efficiency and the strengthening of partnerships.

For more information contact:

Technical contact

Dr Dosithee Ngobebe

Tel: 47 241 39366

E-mail: ngobebed [at] afro.who.int (ngobebed[at]afro[dot]who[dot]int)

Media Contact

Samuel T. Ajibola

Tel: + 47 241 39378

Email: ajibolas [at] afro.who.int (ajibolas[at]afro[dot]who[dot]int)