As WHO Director General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus visits Germany, a high stakes week for Germany’s future role in the World Health Organization agency may be unfolding in Berlin.  On Monday, Tedros began a two-day high-level visit to Germany at the invitation of the World Health Summit where he has served as a patron.  The […] Continue reading ->
Several WHO member states about to join the Executive Board have dubious human rights records, but they will shortlist Director General candidates at the Organization’s most consequential period in a generation. The World Health Organization (WHO) Executive Board does not make headlines. It should. This is the body that screens Director General candidates, whittles the […] Continue reading ->
As the mandate of Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus approaches its expiration in August 2027, the high-stakes manoeuvring for the next Director-General (DG) of the World Health Organization (WHO) has intensified in the halls of Geneva and capital cities worldwide. While the official call for nominations is expected in April 2026 and no candidate has formally […] Continue reading ->
This has been a brutal year for global health, with shock cuts in development aid to countries most in need; a knock-on budget crisis for United Nations (UN) agencies; widespread humanitarian crises, extensive disease outbreaks, and mounting climate-related health challenges. Health Policy Watch (HPW) has provided daily coverage of developments, and our reporters were often […] Continue reading ->
Staff unrest at the World Health Organization’s Geneva headquarters reached a new milestone this week, as the WHO Staff Association (HQSA) adopted three resolutions challenging the fairness and legitimacy of the Organization’s ongoing restructuring process, which has already led to post abolitions, reassignments, and widespread anxiety. In two meetings, Monday and Friday, attended by some […] Continue reading ->
The World Health Organization (WHO) has designated government regulatory authorities in Canada, Japan, and the United Kingdom as WHO-Listed Authorities (WLAs), a status granted to national authorities that meet the highest international regulatory standards for medical products. The recognition widens the pool of WHO-recognized authorities significantly beyond the previously recognized authorities in Europe, the United […] Continue reading ->
As the world observes ‘No Tobacco Day’, the World Health Organization (WHO) has called on governments to ban all flavours in tobacco and nicotine products, including cigarettes, pouches, hookahs and e-cigarettes – which are playing an increasing role in hooking young people to tobacco products. Over 50 countries have banned flavoured tobacco, but manufacturers are […] Continue reading ->