The challenges are raised for the World Health Assembly of this year, the first United Nations Health Forum, where managers will tackle a radical program – pandemic preparation and health risks linked to mental health, maternal health and environmental justice. But with geopolitical tensions that take place high, international collaboration on these questions and others will be tested.
Here are some of the key areas to dominate the discussion:
1. “Careful optimism”: signature on a pandemic agreement
The COVVI-19 pandemic has shown that there are striking inequalities in access to diagnostics, treatments and vaccines, inside and between countries. The health services were exceeded, the savings were seriously disrupted and nearly seven million lives were lost.
It was the motivation for countries to meet to work on an agreement to ensure that the world manages the next pandemic in a more equitable and more efficient way. When the delegates arrive in Geneva on Monday, May 19, they will eliminate the text from the agreement, that Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, head of the World Health Organization (WHO), described as “vital for future generations”.
If the agreement is adopted, it will be a major breakthrough in the way the world manages pandemics and health crises. Negotiations, however, remain politically delicate: several nations, including the United States, have raised concerns about national sovereignty and intellectual property rights. However, in recent weeks, Dr. Tedros has expressed “careful optimism” that a consensus can be reached.
A woman wearing a mask, the Malawi.
2. Climate change: an existential threat
The climate crisis does not only concern the increase in temperatures – this endangers lives. Epidemics of weather conditions and extreme diseases are increasing, threatening the health of millions. An action plan created by which calls for climate and health policies to work together, strengthen resilience and ensure the safeguarding of vulnerable communities.
A plan project project was published following a resolution adopted at the 2024 conference and, this year, the delegates should finalize the project, which includes strategies to adapt and mitigate the health risks related to the climate.
3. Health for all: recover universal health care on the right track
Ensure that all people have affordable access to the full quality of quality health services they need is one of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), to which all UN Member States scored in 2015. However, the health objective is off track: in fact, health services have stagnated over the past ten years.
However, universal health care (UHC) will be an absolute priority at the Assembly, where delegates will discuss strategies to strengthen primary health systems, guarantee sustainable funding and provide care to vulnerable populations.
4. Healthy starts: maternal and newborn health
Nearly 300,000 women lose their lives due to pregnancy or childbirth each year, while more than two million babies die during their first month of life in April, which launched a one-year campaign to end maternal and avoidable newborn deaths.
Entitled “healthy starts, future hope”, he will urge governments and the health community to accelerate efforts to end maternal and avoidable newborn deaths, and to prioritize health and long-term well-being of women.
Expect that new targets and renewed commitments to end the avoidable deaths are announced in the Assembly.
5. Close the gaps: non -transmitted diseases
Non -transmitted diseases (MNT), such as heart disease, cancer and diabetes, kill tens of millions of people each year. About three -quarters of these deaths are in low and intermediate income countries.
Many lives could be saved if more countries had solid national responses, providing detection, screening and treatment, as well as palliative care.
In preparation for an WHO meeting on MNTs and mental health in September, delegates will examine the way in which the United Nations health agency collaborates with governments, civil society and the private sector to prevent and control these diseases, and approach the means to improve access to essential drugs and health technologies.
6. Obtain order finances
This year has been described as one of the most difficult in the UN, which is shaken by extreme pressures on its finances. The United States, a major of donor, announced that he was going to leave who in January, and other countries also reduced development and financing aid.
This year’s assembly will see the Member States negotiate a 50% increase in the basic budget, which is underway from the meeting of 2022. If an increase in funding is approved, it will give a vital boost at a difficult time. Who also seeks additional voluntary contributions, and additional promises are provided for Member States and philanthropic organizations.
Follow the sessions of the World Health Assembly here.
