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Thursday, 22 May 2025
Daily update: 21 May 2025 [https://www.who.int/news/item/21-05-2025-seventy-eighth-world-health-assembly—daily-update–21-may-2025]Seventy-eighth World Health Assembly A “health financing emergency” must drive country-led, data-driven solutions
Ministers from multiple countries hit by the abrupt cuts in external funding for health agreed on the urgent need for country-owned and implemented strategies – and a laser-sharp focus on health data – at a ministerial dialogue co-hosted by WHO and the Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation at the Seventy-eighth World Health Assembly.
Opening remarks by Professor Senait Fisseha, Vice President of Global Programs at the Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation, and Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, set the tone by noting that the crisis presents an opportunity for a turnaround in how health financing policies and health data systems are built and operated.
Specifically, this is a time for countries to reduce their reliance on external health information systems and external financing; build out their domestic data infrastructure, from vital statistics to downstream impact and return-on-investment; and establish resilient systems designed to withstand shocks, so that access to essential services is protected.
Professor Fisseha called on countries “to use this moment to rethink data and financing in a way that best meets your needs and the needs of your people […] For countries to truly lead and for funders and development partners to start to learn how to follow. Data and financing are a natural place to start because that is where ministers are telling us to start.”
Dr Tedros said, “From expanding domestic financing to pioneering real-time data systems, many of you are advancing solutions that are scalable, sustainable and rooted in equity. Data and sustainable financing are not just technical matters. They are political choices. They shape who is reached, how quickly, and with what quality of care. And they determine whether we progress or fall behind.”
Ministers from Barbados, Central African Republic, Egypt, Liberia, Malawi, Rwanda and Sierra Leone, and representatives from the African Union and the World Bank, among others, shared experiences and advice on concrete actions to strengthen data systems, health financing and planning – urging intensified collaboration in the future. They also spoke of the need to leverage the digital transformation and thereby increase transparency and accountability.
Also discussed: strategies to improve domestic financing capacity while maximizing impact include: strengthening tax administration; exploring revenue sources such as taxes on such items as food, alcohol and tobacco; setting up population-wide mandatory health coverage schemes, coupled with subsidies for low-income households and vulnerable population groups; promoting strategic purchasing of health supplies; prioritizing health in public spending; and integrating externally-funded programmes into domestic financing systems and priorities.
Later this week the Assembly will take up the proposed WHA Health Financing Resolution.
Related links
WHO Director-General’s opening remarks at the Strategic Roundtable: Data and Sustainable Financing: Twin Foundations to Accelerate UHC – 21 May 2025 [https://www.who.int/director-general/speeches/detail/who-director-general-s-opening-remarks-at-the-strategic-roundtable–data-and-sustainable-financing–twin-foundations-to-accelerate-uhc—21-may-2025]
Report on the health conditions in the occupied Palestinian territory, including east Jerusalem, and in the occupied Syrian Golan
On 21 May 2025, the Seventy-eighth World Health Assembly noted a report from the Director-General, outlining WHO’s humanitarian and emergency health response in the occupied Palestinian territory, including east Jerusalem, and in the occupied Syrian Golan, from January 2024 to February 2025.
A report on the health conditions in the occupied Syrian Golan couldn’t be provided this year again due to the ongoing situation and the lack of disaggregated health data on the Syrian population. Member States were invited to provide guidance on how to support WHO and partners to restore essential health services across Syria and enable a WHO field-assessment mission to the occupied Syrian Golan.
Member States expressed grave concerns over the deterioration of the health system in Gaza, including forced displacement, overcrowding and deteriorating sanitation, and attacks on health, stressing the need for concerted action to address the dire health needs.
A number of Member States presented draft decisions asking the Director-General to continue reporting on the health conditions in the occupied Palestinian territory, including east Jerusalem, and in the occupied Syrian Golan, and more specifically on food insecurity and malnutrition in the Gaza Strip, and to continue supporting the Palestinian and Syrian health systems. The decision was adopted.
Related documents
A78/16: [https://apps.who.int/gb/ebwha/pdf_files/WHA78/A78_16-en.pdf]Health conditions in the occupied Palestinian territory, including east Jerusalem, and in the occupied Syrian Golan
A78/B/CONF./1: [https://apps.who.int/gb/ebwha/pdf_files/WHA78/A78_BCONF1-en.pdf]Health conditions in the occupied Palestinian territory, including east Jerusalem, and in the occupied Syrian Golan
A78/B/CONF./1 Add.1: [https://apps.who.int/gb/ebwha/pdf_files/WHA78/A78_BCONF1Add1-en.pdf]Financial and administrative implications for the Secretariat of decisions proposed for adoption by the Health Assembly
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