This Protocol signed by the Member States of the SADC and cosisting of 39 Articles aims to (i) identify, promote, coordinate and support the activities aiming to improve the health of the population within the Region; (ii) coordinate regional efforts on epidemic preparedness, mapping, prevention, control and eradication of communicable and non-communicable diseases; (iii) promote and coordinate the development, education, training and effective utilization of health personnel and facilities; (iv) facilitate the establishment of a mechanism for the referral of patients for tertiary care; (v) foster cooperation and coordination in the area of health with international organizations and cooperating partners; (vi) promote and coordinate laboratory services in the area of health; (vii) develop common strategies to address the health needs of women, children and other vulnerable groups; (viii) progressively achieve equivalence, harmonization and standardization in the provision of health services; (ix) collaborate and cooperate with other relevant SADC sectors. Article 4 establishes institutional mechanisms within the health sector necessary for effective implementation. Additionally (i) Member States will share and cooperate on health systems research and surveillance; (ii) develop regional indicators for communicable and non-communicable diseases; (iii) establish harmonized health information systems with standard policies, definitions, and data exchange mechanisms, and promote Tele-Health; (iv) coordinate regional health promotion and education efforts, creating policies and guidelines to prevent diseases and promote well-being. In particular, (i) Article 23, concerning environmental issues, states that State Parties shall collaborate, cooperate, and assist each other in a cross-sectoral approach in addressing regional environmental health issues and other concerns, including toxic waste, waste management, port health services, pollution of air, land, and water, and the degradation of natural resources; (ii) Article 25 establishes that State Parties shall cooperate in disaster and emergency management, collaborate on regional awareness and preparedness plans for various disasters, and develop mechanisms for emergency services cooperation and assistance; (iii) Article 29 provides for cooperation among State Parties in harmonizing pharmaceutical procedures, ensuring quality and registration, producing and distributing affordable essential drugs, strengthening Essential Drugs Programmes, promoting rational drug use, ensuring quality in the supply of vaccines and blood products, researching traditional medicine, and establishing a regional databank for traditional medicine, medicinal plants and procedures in order to ensure their protection in accordance with regimes and related intellectual property rights governing genetic resources, plant varieties and biotechnology.
1999-01-01