WHO's World Health Assembly meets for 74th session, here's what has happened so far

World Health Organization’s (WHOs) decision-making body, World Health Assembly (WHA) met for its 74th session on May 24 including delegations from all UN health agency’s member states. WHA is focused on specific health agenda prepared by Executive Board. According to WHO, main functions of WHA are to “determine policies of Organization, appoint Director-General, supervise financial policies, and review and approve proposed programme budget.” It is held every year in Geneva, Switzerland and this year it was held virtually due to COVID-19 pandemic situation. 

What has happened at 74th WHA so far?

While session began shortly after noon (IST) and it has been a couple of hours since here’s what has happened so far:

Tedros’ opening remarks

WHO Director-General Tedros hanom Ghebreyesus opened session with a main focus on impact of COVID-19, equality in vaccine roll out and noting that “ COVID-19 pandemic has been a significant setback in our efforts to support Member States to progress towards universal health coverage.” He also said that "For almost 18 months, health and care workers all over world have stood in breach between life and death.”

While dressing COVID-19 vaccine inequity, WHO chief said, “re is no diplomatic way to say it: a small group of countries that make and buy majority of ’s vaccines control fate of rest of world." Ahe of 74th WHA, WHO h signed a 'Memorandum of Understanding' to launch first WHO 'BioHub Facility' for research of dely pathogens. "This facility will enhance rapid sharing of viruses and or pathogens between laboratories and partners globally," WHO said in a statement.

Tedros said, “We have a choice: between cooperation, competition or confrontation. In fact, only choice we have is between cooperation and insecurity. A safer world is not a zero-sum game; it is opposite.”

WHA 74 elects 5 vice presidents

Furr, 74th World Health Assembly has elected 5 vice president of WHO’s decision-making body including Benin, Estonia, Guatemala, Mongolia, Qatar.

Bhutan FM elected as President of WHA

This year, assembly elected Bhutan’s Minister of Health, Dechen Wangmo as President. WHA74 will take place from May 24 to June 1 “in light of ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.” me for this year’s session is “Ending this pandemic, preventing next: building toger a healthier, safer and fairer world.”

IMAGE:@WHO/Twitter