Key Highlights of the 77th World Health Assembly Held in Geneva, Switzerland

The 77th World Health Assembly (WHA 77) took place in Geneva, Switzerland, from May 27 to June 1, 2024. This significant event brought together delegations from all 194 Member States of the World Health Organization (WHO) to discuss global health priorities and strategies.

Theme:

• 2024 WHA Theme: “All for Health, Health for All” emphasized the importance of universal health coverage and equitable access to healthcare services for everyone.

Indian Representation:

• India’s Representative: Apurva Chandra, Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), represented India at WHA 77, contributing to discussions and decisions on global health policies.

Key Events and Elections:

1. Opening and Presidential Election:
   1. Date: The assembly opened on May 27, 2024.
   1. New President: Dr. Edwin Dikoloti of Botswana was elected as the President of WHA 77.
2. Vice Presidents:
   1. Elected Vice Presidents:
      1. Dr. Frank C.S. Anthony from Guyana
      1. Dr. Youngmee Jee from the Republic of Korea
      1. Dr. Ala Nemerenco from the Republic of Moldova
      1. Dr. Ali Haji Adam Abubakar from Somalia
      1. Dr. P.G. Maheepala from Sri Lanka

About the World Health Assembly (WHA):

• Decision-Making Body: The WHA is the decision-making body of the WHO, responsible for setting policies, approving budgets, and appointing the Director-General.
• Participants: Attended by delegations from all WHO Member States, the assembly provides a platform for health ministers and senior health officials to address critical global health issues.

Significance of WHA 77:

• Global Health Policies: The assembly focused on formulating and implementing policies to achieve health-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• Collaborative Efforts: It emphasized the need for international cooperation and collaboration to tackle health challenges such as pandemics, non-communicable diseases, and health emergencies.

Conclusion:

The 77th World Health Assembly highlighted the global commitment to ensuring health for all. With leaders like Apurva Chandra representing India and Dr. Edwin Dikoloti leading the assembly as President, WHA 77 marked a crucial step towards enhancing global health governance and achieving universal health coverage.