Story by Abigirl Tembo, Health Editor
ZIMBABWE is playing a leading role in global health governance this week as the World Health Organization Programme, Budget and Administration Committee (PBAC) meets in Geneva ahead of the 79th World Health Assembly.
Permanent Secretary for Health and Child Care, Dr Aspect Maunganidze is chairing the four-day session, which began on Monday and is expected to shape the organisation’s financial and operational direction for the coming biennium.
The PBAC is the main advisory body to the WHO Executive Board on matters relating to programme budgets, financial oversight, governance, administration and human resources.
During the meeting, delegates are reviewing WHO’s financial and programme performance, assessing budget proposals and examining administrative policies aimed at strengthening efficiency, transparency and accountability across the organisation’s global operations.
The committee’s recommendations will feed directly into deliberations at the upcoming World Health Assembly, the WHO’s highest decision-making body, which brings together representatives from 194 member states to determine global health priorities and approve future budgets.
The session comes at a critical time for the global health agency as member states continue efforts to strengthen health systems, improve governance and secure sustainable financing for international health programmes.
