The World Health Organization General Programme of Work for the next five years, the spear point of the transformation of the WHO suggested by the new leadership to member states, was agreed by the annual World Health Assembly today, without much surprise.

Delegates at the 71st Health Assembly taking place from 21-26 May agreed on the 13th WHO General Programme of Work (GPW13), articulating the activities and vision of the United Nations agency for the next five years (2019-2023).

The GPW13 is “designed to help the world achieve the Sustainable Development Goals,” according to a WHO release.

The GPW has three main targets: by 2023, 1 billion more people benefit from universal health coverage; 1 billion more people are better protected from health emergencies; and 1 billion more people enjoy better health and wellbeing. This triple billion target could save 29 million lives, the release said.

WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said during a press briefing on the eve of the Assembly that the adoption of GPW13 was the most important issue of this WHA.

The recommendation to adopt the GPW13 was expressed clearly by the WHO Executive Board in January (IPW, WHO, 29 January 2018), after a series of amendments were requested by member states to the draft programme of work (IPW, WHO, 22 November 2017).

It appears that the financing of this ambitious plan still has to be devised.