Story by Abigirl Tembo, Health Editor
The World Health Organisation (W.H.O) Executive Board is convening in Geneva, Switzerland, to tackle pressing global health issues, with Zimbabwe being one of the seven African countries represented on the board.
Zimbabwe is represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health and Child Care, Dr Aspect Maunganidze.
He emphasised the importance of the meeting, saying it provides a platform for Africa to amplify its voice and foster partnerships that benefit its people.
“Zimbabwe represents the Afro region in the W.H.O Executive Board. There are seven countries in Africa that are on this Executive Board, and this is where key decisions are made to inform the World Health Assembly in deciding on the path and the trajectory to take in terms of decisions that affect the health of the world,” he said.
“So this is a very key organisation in part of the architecture. The Executive Board is a key part of the architecture of delivering health services and influencing global health policies in the world. This gives the oversight role in terms of how the administrators in the W.H.O. are doing their work, look at how these are implemented and inform the World Health Assembly on the trajectory that the W.H.O. should take.
“As you are aware, there have been many threats to the health of the world in terms of outbreaks, in terms of health financing, in terms of making sure that infrastructure is up to scratch. So this is a very key decision-making body of the World Health Organisation. So we are here in Geneva to deliberate. And make the way forward in terms of the agenda for the World Health Assembly, which is coming in May.”
The meeting is also focused on sustainability, particularly in light of the United States’ withdrawal of funding and membership from the W.H.O.
“You might be aware that we are facing liquidity issues with the United States, also withdrawing funding, withdrawing its membership of the W.H.O. So this is the forum where we discuss and look at sustainability issues and have a clear roadmap for how we can sustain the functions of the world and the functions of the World Youth Organism,” Dr Maunganidze said.
“In addition, it’s very key in terms of global health policies that we are there to advocate for our region. So this is a platform where we have to advocate for our region and make sure that we foster partnerships that benefit our people. It’s a platform to influence global health policies and make sure the uniqueness of the diseases that affect our region are amplified and they are addressed.
“We have issues to do with health financing which needs to be improved. We have issues to do with infrastructure, access to medicines and access to healthcare. So equitable health access is key when we are at this forum. So it is our intention through the Executive Board that we make sure that the African position is known.
“We make sure that we foster partnerships that improve the health of our people. It’s important that the health and well-being espoused in our constitution, is maintained and that we every day advocate for such,” he said.
Looking to the future, Dr. Maunganidze emphasised the need for the W.H.O to embrace digital healthcare, particularly in Africa where many areas remain inaccessible.
He highlighted the potential of telemedicine and telehealth platforms to improve access to healthcare services.
