154th WHO Executive Board Agenda Item 24.2: Draft fourteenth general programme of work Constituency Statement

January 22, 2024

Global Health Council presented the following statement on behalf of the following:

  • Global Health Council
  • Task Force for Global Health
  • UN Foundation
  • International Federation on Ageing
  • International Federation of Medical Students’ Association
  • The Royal Commonwealth Society for the Blind (Sightsavers)
  • World Federation of Societies of Anaesthesiologists

Global Health Council and partners welcome WHO’s GPW14, particularly its historic efforts to consult with civil society and youth, outside of just NSAs in official relations with WHO, in the drafting process. These consultations ensure that the GPW14 is addressing the health needs and challenges particularly, of those most vulnerable and left behind. We ask that WHO and Member States continue to support and strengthen engagement with civil society, young people, and other key actors at the country, regional, and global levels through these types of consultations, as well as the inaugural WHO Civil Society Commission.

We also fully support Slovenia and Thailand’s Social Participation resolution and ask that Member States ensure the GPW14 provides more emphasis on the need to create and financially support social participation platforms to reach each of the GPW14 strategic objectives. 

As we approach the WHO Investment Round, we ask that Member States provide WHO with adequate and flexible financing for the implementation of the GPW14. Without financial backing, the GPW14 will not be operational and the international community will continue to face significant delays in reaching its SDG3. 

We also ask Member States to ensure the GPW14 addresses the structural and systematic barriers that continue to cause health inequalities around the world. To do this, governments and multilateral agencies must routinely collect and analyze disaggregated data to inform health programs and policies and monitor equity-based approaches. Without quality disaggregated data (such as age, gender, or sexual orientation), vulnerable populations will remain invisible. 

Lastly, the GPW14 should also emphasize the need to monitor not just service coverage and financial protection, but also the quality of health services and alignment with disease burden when measuring UHC. Monitoring service quality indicators will allow governments to track health and care workers and infrastructure capacity (which we have learned from the pandemic are woefully under-resourced) and ensure all people, no matter their age, socioeconomic status, gender, sexual orientation, etc. are receiving respectful, humane, and quality essential health services.