The consultation Workshop on Finanlisation of the Accreditation and Registration Guidelines, Skilled Birth Attendent (SBA) Training Programme was organised jointly by OGSB and WHO on 2 September 2003 at BIAM, Dhaka. The workshop was chaired by Prof. Dr. Md. Mizanur Rahman, DGHS, and attended by Md. Fazlur Rahman, DGFP as the speical guest. Secretary Health M Fazlur Rahman attended as the chief guest, Mr. Suniti Acharya, WHO Representative in Bangladesh, welcomed the guests and gave her introductory remarks, Prof. AB Bhuiyan, President OGSB and Focal Point SBA Training Pilot Programme presented the keynote paper. Ms. Suneeta Mukherjee, UNFA Representative in Bangladesh gave her remarks on the programme from the point of view of UNFPA, Dr. Md. Mahbubur Rahman, Director PHC and LD-ESP put forward his valuable comments on the programme. Amog others who spoke on the occasion were Dr. Satyawati Hanna, Medical Officer (RH) WHO, Prof, Sayeba Akhter, Prof. T.A Chowdhury, Ms. Zinnatun Nessa, Dr. Laila Arjumand Banu, Mrs. Momtaz Begum, Mr. Kayode S. Oyegbite (UNICEF), Dr. Rowshan Ara Begum (UNFPA), Mr. Irmelin Rose Johnsen (WHO), Dr. Abdul Hamil WHO and Dr. Monira Parveen (WHO).

The World Health Repot 2003 reveals pictures of growing health inequalities in various regions of the world and emphasises the imperative of closing the existing gap between the countrasting lives in order to shape a healthier and more equitable future. The report gives importance on well founded primary health care on which an effective health system can be developed. In order to achieve the Millenium Developed Goals as set out by the United Nations and other national health priorities it is essential for individual countries to develop and well functioning health care system that would be capable enough to respond to the emerging health challenges. The Health Repot 2003 rationalies that for every child born today to have a good chance of a long and healthy life, there and minimum requirements, which every health care system should meet equitably. quality services for acute and chronic health needs; effective health promotion and disease prevention services; and appropriate responses to new threats as they emerge.

The World Health Report 2003 consists of seven chapters. Chapters. Chapter one contains an assessment of the global health situation. Chapter two discusses the origins of the Millennium Development Goals. Chapter three reviews major trends in the HIV epidemic. Chapter four calibrators on the global polio eradication drive, an effort towards conquering a major. ancient disease. Chapter five discusses SARS in great length, highlighting the need for interdependence and international cooperation. Chapter six is about the impact of non-communicable diseases and injuries, particularly cardio-vascular diseases, global tobacco epidemic and the growth of road traffic accidents. Chapter seven emphasies that health system must be strengthened to meet the formidable challenges described in previous chapters.