「工人健康：全球行动计划」
2009 68
2040 90
60
2008 2017
10
2013
193
2017
An Interview with Dr Ivan Dimov Ivanov
on the WHO’s Global Plan of Action on Workers’ Health
According to the United States Census Bureau, the world’s population was estimated to be 6.8 billion in 2009, and is expected to reach 9 billion in 2040. T his surge in the world’s population and the trend for urbanization has led to an increase in workforce numbers in the world’s population. In order to cope with this trend, countries have had to implement a variety of plans to prevent occupational diseases and injuries in the urban workplace.
However, even with the best
efforts of the countries, there are still major gaps in the health status of workers between and within countries. In order to reduce disparities around the world, the 60th World Health Assembly of WHO in 2007 endorsed the ‘Global Plan of Action on Workers’ Health’. Dr Ivan Dimov Ivanov, Scientist, Occupational Health, WHO speaks of the WHO ‘Global Plan of Action on Workers’ Health’ and shared his thoughts on the primary health movement in the ‘Heatlh and the Well Being at Work’ Conference.
10
T h e G l o b a l P l a n o f A c t i o n o n Wo r k e r s ’ Health
Dr Ivanov explained that the Plan aims to provide a political framework for the development of policies, i n f r a s t r u c t u re , t e c h n o l o g i e s a n d partnerships for achieving a basic level of health protection in the workplace throughout the world. T he Plan would be implemented over ten years, from 2008 to 2017. The WHO would monitor the progress and adherence of the Global Plan of Action on Workers’ Health by their Member States through a series of surveys and questionnaires, with a progress review in 2013 based on a basic set of indicators of achievement. He added, ‘In 2017, we hope all 193 Member States of WHO will have developed their own policies and incorporated their occupational health system thoroughly and in so doing we can prevent any international transfer of occupational risks within and between countries.’
T he objectives for the WHO’s Global Plan of Action on workers’ health are devising and implementing policy instruments on workers’ health; the Member States must review their national policy frameworks, and national actions on worker’s health to ensure that there are national approaches for prevention of priority occupational diseases and accidents. He also stated that in order to protect and promote
health in the workplace, improvements in assessment and management of health risks at work should be included. Improving the performance of and access to occupational health services is also important Dr Ivanov said that the Member State should also provide the coverage and quality of occupational health services, universal access to basic occupational health service and develop the human resources of occupational health.
He stressed that Member States n e e d s t o i n c o r p o r a t e wo r ke r s’ health into other policies, economic development policies. Moreover, environmental protection in relation to workers’ health should be included. Primary, secondary and higher level of education and vocational training should be linked to occupational health as well. After the action plan has put into practice, the Member States should also develop a system of surveillance of worker’s health, strengthen research work and raise the occupational health among the public.About Occupational Safety
and Health Development
in Hong Kong
Dr Ivanov said that Hong Kong
has an advanced system of occupational
safety and health which is good and
effective at raising the awareness of
occupational safety and health hazards.
He was pleased that there is a lot of
expertise on occupational health in
Hong Kong. He said, ‘Hong Kong has
a very good system of involvement
of the different stakeholders in
occupational health activities including
academic society, employers, workers’
representatives, and the labour and
health sections.’ He also found that
the occupational health system in
Hong Kong is performing very well,
and it is especially strong at promoting
the prevention of accidents and
occupational injuries and in raising
awareness of occupational safety
and health hazards through effective
publication and promotional campaigns
carried out by the Occupational Safety
and Health Council. These activities are
very important in educating the public
on the importance of occupational
safety and health at their workplace.
T o further improve occupational
safety and health in Hong Kong, Dr
Ivanov suggested that reaching out
to small and medium size enterprises
is important so that more workers
can be covered. Plus, it is important
to incorporate primary health care
in general practice. In addition, Hong
Kong can increase its human resource
capacities on occupational health and
safety and specialists should include
occupational nurses and hygienists.
Finally, strengthening the link between
these specialists to general practitioners
and family doctors will help to build a
better health system in Hong Kong as a
whole.
D r I v a n o v c o n t i n u e d: ‘T h e
advantage of Hong Kong is that it has
already built a good and advanced
system of occupational health and safety.
It is capable of developing its own plan
for worker’s health.’ Hong Kong could
share its experience with other parts of
the country (China) and other nations.
Dr Ivanov obser ved that the
occupational safety component has
been well developed in the Hong Kong
system. And the Occupational Safety
and Health Council has been effectively
promoting it through its current
publicity programs. Hong Kong should
link the development of occupational
health policy to its overall economic
development policy. Dr Ivanov said, ‘Low
level of awareness of the importance
of occupational health in the public
is the barrier in its development.’ He
explained that occupational health is
not as popular as environmental or
financing issues in the political agenda
of the public. Moreover, investments
in occupational health should be part
of a long term agenda as the results
will not be seen for up to a decade.
Dr Ivanov stressed, ‘T he overall economic development of the country would benefit as a healthy labour force contributes to productivity and economic growth.’
At the end of the interview, Dr Ivanov wished all workers in Hong Kong: ‘Work Healthy, be Happy’.