Newsletter Edition #355 [The Files In-Depth]
Dear Readers,
Presenting a final wrap on some of the discussions at the recently concluded World Health Assembly that were previously not covered in our prior editions this past week.
We have distilled them for easy reference.
There are two parts to this:
- A brief update on resolutions and decisions
- A deeper analysis on the discussion on the code for the recruitment of health personnel (by Maged Iskarous, a health systems specialist, who also previously filed this broader analysis on the code)
Geneva Health Files offers value to our readers who are experts in global health. Tracking global health policy-making in Geneva is tough and expensive, without institutional support. For six years, we have provided you with the information and tools that directly contribute to your work in the field. We rely on our readers who value news they can use.
By becoming a paying subscriber you make our work possible. Our subscribers contribute towards greater accountability in global health.
Thanks!
Priti
Priti Patnaik, Founder & Publisher, Geneva Health Files
Feel free to write to us: genevahealthfiles@gmail.com ; Find us on BlueSky, Instagram and Linkedin.
PART I: Update on resolutions and decisions
By Priti Patnaik & Shubhangi Thakur
- Countries adopted more than 20 decisions and 13 resolutions including on topics such as stroke, liver disease, tuberculosis, antimicrobial resistance, diagnostic imaging, emergency care, haemophilia, precision medicine and radiation.
- Also approved decision to begin consultations on WHO hosted, member-states led reforms process on the global health architecture.
- Countries “managed” the request for withdrawal by Argentina, essentially rejecting the proposal. (Also see below, statement from China)
- Key officials:
President of the Seventy-ninth World Health Assembly, Víctor Atallah Lajam, Minister of Health of the Dominican Republic
Chair: Committee A - Timur Sultangaziyev, Deputy Minister of Health, Kazakhstan
Chair: Committee B - Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, Minister of Health, Ghana.
Resolutions and Decisions:
- First-ever Assembly resolution on stroke: “Reducing the burden of stroke: strengthening prevention, acute care, rehabilitation and health-system readiness”. Proposed by Egypt and jointly co-sponsored by Chile, Georgia, Palestine, Paraguay and Tunisia.
According to WHO, the lifetime risk of stroke has increased by 50% in the last 20 years, with 1 in 4 adults expected to experience a stroke in their lifetime. In 2021, stroke was the third leading cause of death and disability worldwide, accounting for an estimated 93.8 million cases, including 11.9 million new cases globally.
Read this also in the direction of efforts around: the WHO Global NCD action plan 2023–2030 and the Intersectoral global action plan on epilepsy and other neurological disorders 2022–2031.
- Global safety monitoring of medicines and vaccines to strengthen pharmacovigilance systems worldwide. The resolution recognizes risk-based prioritization of medicine and vaccine safety monitoring as a critical pillar of patient safety, resilient health systems and efforts to achieve universal health coverage, WHO has said.
“The resolution responds to lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic and other health emergencies, which underscored the need for rapid detection and management of safety signals associated with medicines, vaccines and medical devices. It also highlights growing global challenges, including fragmented monitoring systems, unequal regulatory capacities, and the spread of mis- and disinformation that can undermine trust in science and public health interventions….The resolution also highlights the growing potential of digital technologies, real-world data, and artificial intelligence to improve safety surveillance and regulatory decision-making, while emphasizing the importance of ethical considerations, transparency, data governance, and public trust.”
- New global strategy agreed to advance live-saving emergency, critical and operative care: Global Strategy for Integrated Emergency, Critical and Operative (ECO) Care 2026–2035. Conditions addressable by ECO span all major health areas, encompass the top global causes of death and disability, and account for an estimated 38 million deaths and 1.3 billion disability adjusted life years annually, according to WHO.
- Endorsed a resolution on access to diagnostic imaging through teleradiology
“Imaging is an essential component of health care for the timely detection, diagnosis, monitoring and management of communicable and noncommunicable diseases, trauma and other medical conditions, as well as for maternal and child health care. However, many communities – particularly those in remote or underserved areas – continue to face significant gaps in access to radiology services due to shortages of trained imaging professionals and limited infrastructure. The resolution recognizes teleradiology – the secure transmission and remote interpretation of medical images – as a practical and cost-effective approach to expanding access to expert diagnostic services, strengthening health systems and advancing universal health coverage and health equity,” according to WHO.
- Resolution on precision medicine
Precision medicine uses clinical, molecular and genomic data to guide prevention, diagnosis and treatment. Countries recognize significant potential to accelerate progress toward universal health coverage. Evidence shows clear benefits, from improved survival in cancer through targeted therapies, to quicker diagnosis of rare diseases and safer and more effective prescribing, enabling more targeted and effective care.
- First resolution on radiation and health
The resolution seeks to establish a comprehensive approach covering both ionizing and non-ionizing radiation. “The resolution recognizes widespread exposure to radiation globally – from environmental, occupational, medical sources, as well as emergency situations – and the associated health risks, including both acute and long-term effects such as cancer. It also highlights the increased vulnerability of children and pregnant women, as well as the broader health and psychosocial impacts of radiation emergencies,” WHO has said.
The resolution requests WHO to undertake a global mapping of relevant actors and initiatives – including their roles and mandates in radiation and health to identify gaps and advance the public health agenda on radiation protection and emergency preparedness and response. Progress to be reported to the World Health Assembly in 2028.
“It outlines actions to ensure that health is systematically integrated into economic, fiscal and industrial policies, while strengthening the case for investment in health and enabling the sustainable financing of universal health coverage.
Member States highlighted the urgency of these measures in the context of a global health financing emergency, stressing the need to shift towards well-being-oriented economies and to invest in resilient health systems and essential public goods. The strategy also aims to equip countries with stronger technical capacity and an improved evidence base, enabling more effective engagement with financial and economic actors and supporting informed decision-making,” the WHO has said.
Countries approved the Global Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (GAP-AMR) for 2026–2036. According to WHO, the Global Antimicrobial Resistance and Use Surveillance System (GLASS) indicates that one in six common bacterial infections in 2023 were resistant to antibiotic treatment. Studies estimate that 4.71 million deaths were associated with bacterial AMR in 2021. Without urgent action, AMR could cause up to 39 million deaths by 2050, disproportionately affecting low- and middle-income countries.
The consensus on the resolution came after compromise on language on the transfer of technology. Developing country diplomats termed it a compromise – text with references to “licensing and, voluntary and mutually agreed technology transfer” was dropped from the plan.
- Resolution amending the WHO Global Code of Practice on the International Recruitment of Health Personnel. (See detailed update below)
Reforms Process: Global Health Architecture
The Assembly decided to establish a joint process led by Member States, hosted by WHO and with global health partners to support reforms of the global health architecture. The process is meant to develop options and recommendations for reforms. The DG is expected to submit a report by the next World Health Assembly in May 2027.
(Detailed story to follow later)
On the withdrawal request by Argentina:
Countries chose the path of least resistance on the question of the withdrawal of Argentina from the WHO. While not accepting Argentina’s request, the position was articulated delicately: “that while the World Health Organization will always welcome the Argentine Republic’s full co-operation in the work of the Organization, it is not considered that any further action at this stage is desirable”.
This is of course, being read as a rejection of Argentina’s request.
Some countries were relieved that there was no vote on the matter. Diplomats told us that dealing with Argentina in this manner would set a precedent for the future, should any other country choose to announce withdrawal from the WHO. Sources also said that such an approach may also be linked to assessed contributions due from many countries, including the U.S., whose membership status is tied to the payment of dues.
Statements:
China
- Described WHO as the most authoritative and universal organisation in global health governance.
- The delegation stressed that global public health is a whole and cannot be divided. Reaffirmed support for multilateralism and for WHO performing its work in accordance with its Constitution.
- China proposed three questions for future consideration:
- Whether a member state withdrawing from WHO or rejoining it remains obliged to fulfil financial obligations already committed or pledged.
- Whether a country in the withdrawal process may still participate in WHO activities, and under what rules and procedures.
- Whether WHO should improve rules related to withdrawal and rejoining procedures.
- Stated that “clearer rules will reduce controversies” and “more transparency in processes will ensure smoother operations of the organisation.” Reiterated support for WHO’s role in global public health governance and the goal of building a global community of health for all.
Bolivia
- Stated that it respected Argentina’s sovereign decision. The delegation framed the issue within the UN Charter, international law and the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties
African Group, delivered by Sierra Leone
- Highlighted the universality of WHO, integrity of the WHO constitutional framework and the importance of WHO unity during complex global health challenges
- Also said that the communications raised significant and complex questions of international and institutional law.
Chile
- Thanked Paraguay and Norway for enabling consensus.
- Emphasized that Argentina is a founding WHO member, a country with recognized capacities and an important contributor to global and regional public health efforts
Also see:
Priti Patnaik
Priti Patnaik
PART II: ANALYSIS: THE RESOLUTION ON THE CODE ON THE RECRUITMENT OF HEALTH PERSONNEL
By Maged Iskarous
At the Assembly, countries approved a resolution to amend the WHO Global Code of Practice on the International Recruitment of Health Personnel.
WHO said, that “the key revisions to the Code include the incorporation of provisions covering health personnel recruited internationally for employment as care workers and clarification on the applicability of the Code’s recommendations during emergencies. The Code also encourages co-investment in health systems and the health workforce to ensure international recruitment generates proportional benefits for both source and destination countries.”
Since its adoption by the Sixty-third World Health Assembly in 2010, the Code has undergone three rounds of reviews to assess its relevance and effectiveness. This first update in 16 years – triggered by the third review.
Our analysis:
