World Health Assembly Addresses Global Health Financing and Data Challenges
Global Leaders Call for Country-Centric Health Solutions
Ministers from countries facing sudden cuts in international health funding convened at the Seventy-eighth World Health Assembly to emphasize the need for locally driven health strategies and robust data systems. The event, co-hosted by the World Health Organization and the Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation, highlighted the urgency of shifting toward self-reliant health financing and data infrastructure.
Professor Senait Fisseha of the Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation and Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, underscored that the crisis presents an opportunity to reform health policies and data systems. They urged nations to reduce dependence on external funding, build domestic data capabilities, and create resilient systems to ensure access to essential health services.
Focus on Data and Sustainable Financing
Professor Fisseha emphasized that countries must prioritize data and financing solutions tailored to their unique needs. “This is a moment to rethink data and financing in a way that best meets your needs and the needs of your people,” she said. Dr. Tedros added that health financing and data systems are political choices that determine who is reached, how quickly, and with what quality of care.
Ministers from Barbados, Central African Republic, Egypt, Liberia, Malawi, Rwanda, and Sierra Leone, along with representatives from the African Union and the World Bank, shared practical steps to strengthen health systems. These include improving tax administration, exploring new revenue sources, and integrating external programs into domestic systems.
Health Assembly to Review Financing Resolution
Later in the week, the Assembly will consider a proposed resolution on health financing. The discussions aim to create sustainable, equitable health systems that can withstand future shocks.
Health Conditions in Conflict Zones Remain a Concern
The Assembly also reviewed the health situation in the occupied Palestinian territory, including east Jerusalem, and the occupied Syrian Golan. The report detailed WHO’s humanitarian efforts since January 2024, highlighting challenges in access to care and the impact of conflict on health systems.
Member states expressed deep concern over the worsening health system in Gaza, including overcrowding, sanitation issues, and attacks on health facilities. They urged intensified support for restoring essential health services and conducting field assessments in the region.
Call for Continued Support for Health Systems
Several member states proposed decisions to continue reporting on health conditions in the occupied territories and to support the health systems of Palestine and Syria. The decisions were adopted, reflecting a commitment to addressing the ongoing health crises in these areas.
The World Health Assembly continues to focus on global health challenges, emphasizing the need for sustainable funding, data systems, and international support to ensure equitable health access for all.