Latest news with #OneWorldforHealth
Bangkok Post
14-07-2025
- Health
- Bangkok Post
High rates hurt public healthcare
May's 78th World Health Assembly (WHA) -- the annual meeting of the World Health Organization's member states -- ended on a self-congratulatory note. From an agreement on pandemic preparedness to increases in assessed contributions to the WHO, there were plenty of achievements to tout. But there was an elephant in the room, hiding behind a banner reading "One World for Health": the high borrowing costs faced by African countries. Despite being the world's youngest continent, Africa bears 24% of the global disease burden. Yet it accounts for less than 1% of global health spending. In 2001, African countries decided to take matters into their own hands, pledging to devote at least 15% of national budgets to health. Yet more than two decades later, only two countries have reached that target. On average, governments on the continent allocate a mere 1.48%of their GDP to health, while 37% of health spending comes directly out of citizens' pockets. Borrowing costs are a major reason why. Whereas high-income countries borrow at an interest rate of 2–3%, their African counterparts can face rates above 10%. This discrepancy -- which reflects investors' perception of heightened risk in African economies -- means that governments on the continent often must choose between making debt payments or buying medicines, hiring doctors and building health clinics. The cost of capital costs lives. Consider Kenya's ill-fated Managed Equipment Services (MES) programme, a public-private partnership aimed at enhancing service availability at hospitals through the provision of modern equipment. The programme did provide high-tech equipment to many hospitals. But, given the cost of capital for investment, Kenya could not deliver the infrastructure or personnel to use it. In Ghana, where debt-service costs have left little fiscal space, nearly 75% of the government's health budget now goes to health-care workers' wages, leaving little funding for other crucial expenses, from medicines to maternal-health programmes. In 2023, a shortage of antimalarial drugs forced some rural clinics to direct patients to purchase the medicine they needed directly from private pharmacies. Many families thus faced a harrowing choice between being driven further into poverty and sending a loved one to an early grave. For many African countries, high borrowing costs have contributed to dependence on the goodwill of foreign donors. But aid-dependent health-care systems are fundamentally fragile. We saw this during the Covid-19 pandemic, and we are seeing it now, as European countries scale back their development spending to free up space for other priorities, and the United States dismantles its entire aid apparatus, beginning with the US Agency for International Development (USAID). In Malawi, those cuts have already forced critical programmes, such as for HIV treatment and prevention, to scramble for funds. Local NGOs have been forced to lay off outreach workers, and patients with tuberculosis or HIV have gone without care. As one community health nurse in South Africa lamented, "My fear is mortality is going to be very high". Africans' health cannot depend on the generosity of others. Governments must be able to invest in stable, resilient, self-sustaining health systems. To raise funds, Senegal and Zambia are experimenting with "health taxes" on alcohol and sugary drinks. Debt-for-health swaps in countries like Seychelles have shown promise. Nigeria's diaspora health bonds could unlock billions in financing if they are matched with concessional capital and guarantees from multilateral banks. Ultimately, there is no substitute for affordable, predictable capital. That is why lowering borrowing costs must be a key priority at the G20 summit this November. This means, first, tackling structural factors such as outdated international regulations and biases in risk assessments. It also means delivering timely and meaningful debt relief. This will require innovative mechanisms, such as debt-for-health swaps, and increasing the use of pause clauses in existing loans and new debt contracts that allow for debt payment suspension when a pandemic strikes. A third priority must be to secure continued political support for multilateral health programmes -- such as Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance and the Global Fund to Fight Aids, Tuberculosis and Malaria -- thereby ensuring continuity in the delivery of the relevant health services. Finally, the G20 must seek to expand African countries' access to concessional financing for health infrastructure through multilateral development banks. The G20 is the right forum for these actions. Its mandate includes addressing global challenges, promoting economic cooperation, and fostering global stability. The cost of capital is beyond any one country's capacity to address, and it is producing a destabilising global-health emergency. The upcoming G20 summit, the first to be held in Africa -- and the second with the African Union as a permanent member -- represents a particularly fitting moment for such action. Within African countries, mechanisms -- based on civil-society engagement -- for ensuring accountability for how funds are spent are also essential. But the first step must be to free up the funds. To achieve "One World for Health", all countries must be able to access the means to invest in health care. ©2025 Project Syndicate Serah Makka is Africa Executive Director at The ONE Campaign. Rosemary Mburu is Executive Director of WACI Health.
Time of India
28-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
India reinforces commitment to WHO global traditional medicine strategy at World Health Assembly
New Delhi: India has asserted its commitment to strengthening traditional medicine systems as part of an integrated approach to healthcare. Speaking at the 78th World Health Assembly held in Geneva under the theme "One World for Health", Arindam Bagchi, Permanent Representative to the UN, welcomed the adoption of the new WHO Global Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025- 2034 and highlighted India's efforts to embed evidence-based traditional practices into national and global health frameworks, an Ayush ministry statement said. India's approach, characterized by integration of modern medicine with scientifically validated traditional systems such as Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, and Siddha, was emphasised as a practical model for other nations. Bagchi noted that India had shown strong leadership in implementing the previous WHO Traditional Medicine Strategy (2014- 2023) and expressed support for its successor framework, the statement stated. India's significant contribution to the global traditional medicine ecosystem is reflected in the establishment of the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre (GTMC) in Jamnagar, Gujarat, the statement said. Launched in 2022 with the support of the government of India and inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi alongside WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the centre is the first of its kind and plays a vital role in data analytics, policy support, standard-setting, and research collaboration. A key development this year was the signing of a donor agreement between the Ministry of Ayush and WHO on May 24 to initiate work on a dedicated traditional medicine module under the International Classification of Health Interventions (ICHI), the statement said. Lauding this milestone during his 'Mann Ki Baat' address, Modi had noted it would enable Ayush systems to reach a global audience through a scientific and standardised framework. "India is proud to contribute to the global integration of traditional medicine. The ICHI module will enhance scientific credibility and facilitate global recognition of Ayush systems. We remain committed to supporting WHO's efforts of inclusive, safe, and evidence-based traditional healthcare," said Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, secretary in the Ministry of Ayush. A WHO statement said the new WHO strategy encourages member states to enhance regulation, integrate traditional medicine services where appropriate, and uphold indigenous knowledge, environmental sustainability, and biodiversity. India's initiatives resonate strongly with these principles, underscoring its role as a committed partner in advancing traditional medicine for global well-being, the statement said. India remains dedicated to supporting WHO and member states in realising the full potential of traditional medicine in achieving universal health coverage and the Sustainable Development Goals , it stated.
Time of India
27-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
India reinforces commitment to WHO global traditional medicine strategy at World Health Assembly
New Delhi: India has asserted its commitment to strengthening traditional medicine systems as part of an integrated approach to healthcare. Speaking at the 78th World Health Assembly held in Geneva under the theme "One World for Health", Arindam Bagchi, Permanent Representative to the UN, welcomed the adoption of the new WHO Global Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025- 2034 and highlighted India's efforts to embed evidence-based traditional practices into national and global health frameworks, an Ayush ministry statement said. India's approach, characterized by integration of modern medicine with scientifically validated traditional systems such as Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, and Siddha, was emphasised as a practical model for other nations. Bagchi noted that India had shown strong leadership in implementing the previous WHO Traditional Medicine Strategy (2014- 2023) and expressed support for its successor framework, the statement stated. Play Video Pause Skip Backward Skip Forward Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration 0:00 Loaded : 0% 0:00 Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 1x Playback Rate Chapters Chapters Descriptions descriptions off , selected Captions captions settings , opens captions settings dialog captions off , selected Audio Track default , selected Picture-in-Picture Fullscreen This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Text Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Caption Area Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Drop shadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Dermatologist Reveals the 5 Best At-Home Hair Removal Devices of 2025 BeautyLife Learn More Undo India's significant contribution to the global traditional medicine ecosystem is reflected in the establishment of the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre (GTMC) in Jamnagar, Gujarat, the statement said. Launched in 2022 with the support of the government of India and inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi alongside WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the centre is the first of its kind and plays a vital role in data analytics, policy support, standard-setting, and research collaboration. Live Events A key development this year was the signing of a donor agreement between the Ministry of Ayush and WHO on May 24 to initiate work on a dedicated traditional medicine module under the International Classification of Health Interventions (ICHI), the statement said. Lauding this milestone during his 'Mann Ki Baat' address, Modi had noted it would enable Ayush systems to reach a global audience through a scientific and standardised framework. "India is proud to contribute to the global integration of traditional medicine. The ICHI module will enhance scientific credibility and facilitate global recognition of Ayush systems. We remain committed to supporting WHO's efforts of inclusive, safe, and evidence-based traditional healthcare," said Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, secretary in the Ministry of Ayush. A WHO statement said the new WHO strategy encourages member states to enhance regulation, integrate traditional medicine services where appropriate, and uphold indigenous knowledge, environmental sustainability, and biodiversity. India's initiatives resonate strongly with these principles, underscoring its role as a committed partner in advancing traditional medicine for global well-being, the statement said. India remains dedicated to supporting WHO and member states in realising the full potential of traditional medicine in achieving universal health coverage and the Sustainable Development Goals , it stated.
Qatar Tribune
23-05-2025
- Health
- Qatar Tribune
Health minister holds series of meetings in Geneva
Tribune News Network Geneva Minister of Public Health HE Mansoor bin Ebrahim Al Mahmoud held a series of meetings on the sidelines of the ongoing World Health Assembly (WHA) in Geneva. The minister held separate meetings with Minister of Health of Iraq Dr Saleh Al Hasnawi, Minister of Health of Syria Dr Musab Nazzal Al Ali, Acting Federal Minister of Health of Sudan Dr Haitham Mohamed Ibrahim, Minister of Health and Medical Education of Iran Dr Mohammad Reza Zafarghandi, and Minister of Public Health of Cuba Dr José Ángel Portal Miranda. The health minister also met separately with Minister of Health of Algeria Abdelhak Saihi, Minister of Health and Social Protection of Morocco Amine Tahraoui, Minister of Public Health of Lebanon Dr Rakan Nassereddine, Minister of Health of Mauritania Abdallahi Wedih, and Minister of Health of Italy Professor Orazio Schillaci. The minister also met with President of Global Development at the Gates Foundation Dr Chris Elias. The meetings reviewed bilateral relations between Qatar and each of the respective countries, with a focus on ways to strengthen cooperation in the field of health. Discussions also covered key issues on the agenda of the ongoing World Health Assembly (WHA) in Geneva, held under the theme 'One World for Health'.
Time of India
22-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
India bats for equitable access to medical countermeasures at Geneva summit
NEW DELHI: Union health secretary Punya Salila Srivastava on Wednesday reiterated India's strong support for a legal, binding framework that enhances global cooperation while respecting national sovereignty and capacities. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now 'The pandemic agreement must ensure equitable access to medical countermeasures, timely and transparent data and pathogen sharing; and promote technology sharing and capacity building, particularly for the Global South,' she said, while addressing the plenary session of the 78th World Health Assembly. Srivastava concluded her address by congratulating the WHO and member states on the historic progress made toward advancing the Pandemic Treaty, which aims to confront future health challenges together with a commitment to ensuring that no one is left behind. Director-general of the World Health Organisation Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi for virtually joining the 78th Session of the World Health Assembly that adopted the Pandemic Agreement. The World Health Organisation (WHO) member states on Tuesday unanimously adopted the world's first Pandemic Agreement in a move to bolster global collaboration and ensure a stronger and more equitable response to future pandemics. 'Namaste, Prime Minister @narendramodi, for joining us virtually at a historic #WHA78 when the #PandemicAccord was adopted. We are grateful for #India's commitment and support to @WHO,' Tedros posted on X. In his video message during Tuesday's session, Modi said that the future of a healthy world depends on inclusion, an integrated vision and collaboration. He asserted that India's approach offers replicable, scalable and sustainable models to meet health challenges of the Global South and also highlighted how this year's theme of 'One World for Health' aligns with India's vision for global health.
