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The health of women, children and adolescents was high on the agenda of the 77th World Health Assembly in Geneva (WHA77), Switzerland, during 27 May – 1 June.
Responding to slowing progress in tackling maternal and child mortality, Member States passed a critical resolution committing to accelerated action, with particular focus on vulnerable populations and worst-affected countries. The resolution, Accelerate progress towards reducing maternal, newborn and child mortality in order to achieve Sustainable Development Goal targets 3.1 and 3.2, highlighted the need for a comprehensive, life-course approach to tackling these urgent issues, including improving access to maternity, sexual and reproductive (including family planning), and child health services through strengthened primary health care, including provision of urgent obstetric care and small and sick newborn units.
Led by the Government of Somalia and co-sponsored by 51 member states, the Resolution acknowledges that 64 countries are likely to miss the Sustainable Development Goal target for newborn mortality, 59 for under-five child mortality, and 46 for maternal mortality. The resolution, supported by intensive and coordinated advocacy action by PMNCH, paves the way for increased action on these issues in the final run-up to the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.
Additionally, WHA77 saw Member States coming together on many critical agenda items, reaffirming the importance of multilateralism and collaboration. In addition to the MNCH Resolution, WHA77 adopted many resolutions and decisions relevant for WCAH, including on climate change and health; mental health in emergencies; social participation in primary health care; economics for all; preparedness and response to pandemics; and immunization. All WHA77 resolutions can be accessed here.
PMNCH has conducted a tracking of Member States interventions related to WCAH, which forms the basis of a brief report on the WHA77 outcomes for WCAH and well-being. As highlighted in the report, frequent themes relevant for WCAH mentioned by Member States included: maternal, newborn, and child health within the context of UHC; the importance of addressing the needs of adolescents and young people; ensuring children have access to routine immunization; and promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment as a prerequisite for achieving SDG3.
Gender and SRHR were contentious issues among Member States in the consultations around the negotiations in the lead up to WHA77, with the negotiations reflecting increased polarization on these issues and a growing push back on gender language.
Member States agreed on a package of amendments on the International Health Regulations, paving the way for continued discussions on a Pandemic Agreement. In addition, Member States adopted WHO’s 14th Global Programme of Work (GPW14) and saw the launch of the WHO Investment Round.
Also, WHA noted the report on the health conditions in the occupied Palestinian territory, highlighting the unprecedented humanitarian crisis, including the impacts on women, newborns and children. Member States also approved a Resolution on aligning the participation of Palestine in WHO with its participation in the UN.1
Highlights of the PBAC and the EB
WHO also held the 40th meeting of the Programme, Budget and Administration Committee (PBAC) of the WHO Executive Board (EB), between 22-24 May, and the 155th meeting of the Executive Board (EB155), between 3-4 June. Both meetings included an agenda item on the four WHO-hosted partnerships, including PMNCH, as a matter of routine business. Additionally, this year also saw a standalone report on PMNCH, occurring once in four years. The EB approved the review of PMNCH (EB155/6). Brazil and other Member States commended PMNCH on its significant contribution to the work of WHO.
In addition, the WHO Executive Board admitted into official relations new non-State actors, including The Center for Reproductive Rights (EB155/7 Add.1). The decision followed extensive and acrimonious discussions resulting in a voting process, with 17 votes in favor of admission, 13 votes against and 4 abstentions.
PMNCH flagship events at WHA77
During WHA77, PMNCH organized two side events under the “Lives in the Balance” banner, following a successful dialogue series during WHA 2023. “Galvanizing Political Leadership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health”, co-hosted by the Government of South Africa and HE Cyril President Ramaphosa, alongside UNICEF and UNFPA, set the scene for member states to share their challenges and successes in progressing maternal and child health in-country. Supporting the WHA77 resolution on MNCH, member-states including South Africa, Bangladesh and Sierra Leone called for unified, committed and collaborative action to create lasting change for women, children and adolescents. For the occasion, ENAP-EPMM and CSA, supported by PMNCH, developed a brief outlining critical action necessary to accelerate progress for MNCH.
Financing event rallies partners for the future of young people
PMNCH’s second side event, ”Invest in What Matters: Making the Case for Women’s, Children’s and Adolescent Health and Well-Being”, was co-hosted by the Governments of India and Norway, UNICEF and UNFPA. The event marked the release of Adolescents in a changing world – The case for urgent investment, a landmark report from PMNCH with the University of Victoria, UNFPA, UNICEF and WHO, estimates that over the period 2024-2050, the average cost of inaction (i.e., benefits foregone) is US$110 trillion (USD 4.1 trillion per year), equal to 7.7% of the GDP of the countries included in the model.
The event also included preliminary findings from the Lancet Commission on Investing in Health 3.0 (CIH3), assessing global investments in health in the post-COVID era. The CIH3 report, to be launched at the World Health Summit in Berlin in October, will put a major spotlight on RMNCH issues, noting that increased investments in a short list of 15 conditions – 8 of which are infections or maternal/neonatal/child conditions and 7 are non-communicable diseases and injuries– can reduce premature deaths (deaths before age 70) by 50% by 2050.