In this century, there have been more gains in public health than in the entire previous history of humankind. Many of the major achievements are due principally to science and scientist, and many others rescued civilization from the dark ages of fear of unknown and the dread shadow of diseases such as cholera and plague. More recently, the conscience and concern of scientists have often been driving forces in advancing health, enhancing development of new tools, and stimulating international research on control of major global health problems. Considered an example that span most of this century: poliomyelitis. Its discovery as an infectious disease, the amplification of virus in tissue culture, the development of killed and live attenuated vaccines, the strategies for the use through an expansive program of vaccination, the introduction of national immunization days, the recent research into improved safety and monitoring methods have all led to approaching milestone in global public health--the worldwide eradication of polio.
However, there is a little reason for complacency. Victory are often temporary, microbial enemies are incredibly adept at developing new defence and weaponry and at jumping into new species to create new emerging infections. The very progress of our civilization can threaten our health, for example, transportation technology moving millions of people around the world everyday, facilitating the spread of epidemics. An political and economic mismanagement can increase the deprivation of populations. Today, less than 10% of global research development budget is used to address the largest diseases burden, which is found among the poor populations of the world, and we have no effective vaccines against major scourges such as malaria and AIDS.
How can current and future challenge be met? Research is crucial. It is also essential that scientists from different specialties approach problems in an interdisciplinary way. This is a call for talented young scientists from many branches of knowledge to reach out to improve world health and for science policy-maker in governments, agencies, foundations, industry to underwrite their missions. The stunning pace of change in the health science and the engagement with other disciplines such as informatics, chemistry, physics and social science provide a new opportunity for health in the 21st century. This call is not only for the scientist and policy-maker in the industrialized world, perhaps more important, but also for those in the developing world. The potential, passion, perception of the scientists close to major problems of the world health need to be tapped. This is especially true as the distance between the laboratory and the field continue to shrink rapidly, providing the best-ever scientific opportunity to address global health needs. We should make deliberate use of it, bearing in mind that investment in health is investment in development.
Research networks that span national borders will provide essential supports for intensified public health efforts. In this context, I welcome the Multilateral Initiative for Malaria research. The efforts by MIM to accelerate capacity building in Africa will be a cornerstone for the Roll Back Malaria program on the continent. Indeed, research should be an integral part of World Health Organization(WHO) programs,strategically placed to make a difference what it matters most: on the ground.
I will put great emphasis on the scientific underpinning of policy in a renewed WHO. I intend to establish a separate function, devoted to health information and the development of evidence-based policy. WHO will be a leading advocate for health. In addition to scientific evidence required for policy setting, WHO will gather information on the needs of researchers and on advances made in research. These will be reported to decision-maker around the world. Health minister need little convincing. But WHO will remind president, prime minister, finance minister, science minister that they are health minister themselves, key to bringing the science of health to bear on well-being of their people. Our message will be that healthy people help build health economies.