76th Annual World Health Assembly

• 02 Jun 2023

For Prelims: World Health Organization, World Health Assembly, G20, Ayushman Bharat
For Mains: India’s participation in the World Health Assembly, World Health Organisation functioning, Significance of India's contributions in medical value travel

Why in News?

Recently, the 76^th annual World Health Assembly was held at World Health Organization (WHO) Headquarters(HQ), Geneva, Switzerland, from 21^st to 30^th May 2023.

• The theme for 2023 is "WHO at 75: Saving lives, driving health for all."
• The participation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Health Minister in the 76^th World Health Assembly highlighted India's commitment to global health.
• Taiwan was excluded from the WHO assembly due to opposition from China and Pakistan.

What is the World Health Assembly?

• About:
  • The World Health Assembly (WHA) is WHO’s decision-making body attended by delegations from all of WHO’s member states.
  • It is held yearly at the HQ of WHO, i.e., Geneva, Switzerland.
• Functions of WHA:
  • Deciding on Organization’s policies.
  • Appointment of the Director-General of WHO.
  • Administration of financial policies.
  • Review and approval of the proposed programme budget.

What are the Key Highlights?

• Global Plan for Indigenous Health:
  • Draft resolution accepted for developing a Global Plan of Action for the Health of Indigenous People.
    • The plan will be considered at the 79^th World Health Assembly in 2026.
  • Consultation with indigenous peoples and their free, prior, and informed consent emphasized.
  • Addressing challenges such as poverty, violence, discrimination, and limited access to healthcare.
  • Focus on reproductive, maternal, and adolescent health, vulnerable situations.
  • Members were urged to collect ethical data to identify specific requirements of indigenous people.
  • Aimed at improving the health and well-being of indigenous populations.
• Global Alliance for Drowning Prevention:
  • Global Alliance for Drowning Prevention was established during the 76th WHA meeting.
  • Aims to address global public health concerns related to drowning by 2029.
  • WHO to coordinate action and prepare a global status report on drowning.
  • Drowning has a significant impact on the world's poorest populations.
    • Over 90% of drowning deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries.
  • Official global estimate of drowning deaths may be significantly underestimated as they exclude drownings attributable to flood related climatic events and water transport incidents.
• Draft Resolution on Chemicals, Waste, and Pollution:
  • Draft resolution on chemicals, waste, and pollution impact accepted during 76^th World Health Assembly.
  • WHO urged to update Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals report with United Nations Environment Programme.
  • Limited data on chemical exposures and health concerns highlighted.
  • Resolution encourages regulatory frameworks, biomonitoring, and risk identification for chemicals of concern such as cadmium, lead, mercury etc.
  • Concern over poor chemical waste management and long-term health effects are raised.
  • Request for WHO report on human health implications and data gaps.
  • Importance of data organization by sex, age, disability, and harmful substances.
• WHO Program Budget:
  • WHO member states agreed on a budget of 6.83 billion USD for 2024-2025, including a 20% increase in assessed contributions.
  • Over the past few years, assessed contributions had declined, accounting for less than one-quarter of WHO's financing.
  • Top contributors include Germany, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, US, UK, and European Commission.
  • WHO's reliance on voluntary contributions raises governance concerns and affects sustained technical cooperation and goal achievement.
  • Highlighted contributions that hinder the WHO's ability to provide effective technical cooperation and achieve the Triple Billion targets for improving health of all by 2023.

Note:
Triple billion Targets: The goals of the Triple Billions are simple and straightforward. By 2023, WHO proposes to achieve:   

• 1 billion more people benefitting from universal health coverage   
• 1 billion more people better protected from health emergencies   
• 1 billion more people enjoying better health and well-being. 

• Replenishment Mechanism:
  • Member states welcomed a new replenishment mechanism to provide flexible funding options for the WHO.
  • Currently, the majority of WHO's funds come from specific voluntary contributions, leaving little flexibility for shifting funds as needed.
  • The replenishment mechanism aims to raise voluntary contributions to cover the unfunded portion of WHO's base segment and ensure financial sustainability.

WHO Funding:

• Assessed contributions:
  • Calculated as a percentage of a country's gross domestic product.
  • Account for less than 20% of the total budget of WHO
  • Approved every two years at the World Health Assembly.
• Voluntary contributions:
  • Account for more than three quarters of the Organization's financing.
  • Come from Member States and other partners.
  • Further categorized based on flexibility:
    • Core voluntary contributions (CVC):
      • Fully unconditional and flexible, representing 4.1% of all voluntary contributions.
    • Thematic and strategic engagement funds:
      • Partially flexible, representing 7.9% of all voluntary contributions in 2020-2021.
    • Specified voluntary contributions:
      • Tightly earmarked to specific programmatic areas and/or geographical locations, representing 88% of all voluntary contributions.
• Pandemic Response Funding:
  • WHO receives additional funding from various sources in response to global health emergencies, including pandemics.
  • The Covid-19 Solidarity Response Fund was established during the COVID-19 pandemic to receive contributions from governments, organizations, and individuals.

• India’s Participation:
  • Emphasized the importance of collaboration and resilient global health systems.
  • Highlighted India's contribution of 300 million COVID-19 vaccine doses to over 100 countries.
  • Stressed the significance of traditional systems like Yoga and Ayurveda.
  • Mentioned the establishment of WHO's Global Centre for Traditional Medicine in India.
  • Supported the G20 theme of 'One Earth, One Family, One Future'.
  • Shared India's achievements in healthcare and the Ayushman Bharat scheme.
  • Expressed willingness to support WHO in low and middle-income countries.
  • Highlighted India's contributions in Medical Value Travel and commitment to Tuberculosis elimination.
  • Emphasized the 'Heal by India' initiative, promoting AYUSH treatments globally.
  • Stressed the importance of inclusive growth and healthcare for all.

Source: DTE