With a united voice, World Health Organization Board members agreed last week on a draft resolution for the preparation of a United Nations General Assembly high-level meeting on universal health coverage in the fall, following intensive closed consultations. The United States, however, dissociated itself from language it thought gave a permissive view of abortion. Continue reading ->

Image Credits: World Health Organization.

Over the past year, the World Health Organization (WHO) has rolled out the latest version of its benchmarking tool for evaluating progress of national regulatory authorities towards meeting WHO quality assurance targets. This benchmarking tool applies a more transparent and systematic approach than previous versions, and was developed through “extensive” consultation with member states and the public. Continue reading ->

Image Credits: World Health Organization.

The World Health Organization Executive Board last week remained uncertain on the way forward on questions of access to influenza viruses as countries are increasingly implementing an international protocol regulating the sharing of genetic resources. The Board requested informal discussions be held in the lead-up to the annual World Health Assembly in May. Continue reading ->

Image Credits: Flickr – Sanofi Pasteur.

At the World Health Organization Executive Board meeting this week, the proposed inclusion of gaming disorder into the latest version of the WHO disease classification system drew unequivocal support from civil society groups present, but no direct mention from member states aside from the United States, which called the proposed inclusion “premature.” Continue reading ->

Image Credits: World Health Organization.

In a rare occasion, the World Health Organization Executive Board today resorted to recorded voting to decide on a politically-charged question, as Israel requested the deletion of an agenda item for the next World Health Assembly relating to the health of Palestinians in occupied territories. The Board ultimately voted against removing the agenda item for the next WHA in May. Continue reading ->

Image Credits: World Health Organization.

The World Health Organization today admitted to an unusual procedure to set up a debate on the health implications of a UN treaty on sharing of benefits from genetic resources. The new agenda item proposed by the WHO director general was accepted by the WHO Board today, but with member states questioning the governance of the move. Continue reading ->

Image Credits: World Health Organization.