The World Health Organisation (WHO) 2024 report has shown that huge progress has been made on global health goals, despite the growing financial uncertainties.
The report, released ahead of the 78th World Health Assembly billed for this month, presents a mid-term assessment of WHO’s performance in implementing the Programme budget 2024–2025, providing a snapshot of progress towards the strategic priorities of the 13th General Programme of Work, 2019–2025.
The report highlighted WHO’s work in over 150 countries, territories and provides an update on the implementation of the 13th General Programme of Work, showcasing both the achievements so far and challenges ahead.
The report revealed significant progress on coverage with essential health services, protection from health emergencies, and enjoyment of healthier lives. The progress is insufficient to reach the health-related Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.
According to the report, seven countries eliminated a neglected tropical disease in 2024, making it 54 countries that have eliminated at least one neglected tropical disease.
It noted that guinea worm disease is now closer than ever to eradication, adding that 70 million more people had access to mental health services by the end of 2024, while at least one million people living with a mental health condition received treatment.
With support from the African Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, WHO distributed 259 000 mpox tests in 32 countries. Globally, six million mpox vaccine doses were pledged.
The report further noted that the WHO coordinated responses to 51 graded emergencies in 89 countries and territories. WHO’s emergency medical teams performed more than 37,000 surgeries and supported infection prevention and control, WASH, trauma care, and mental health support.
It reads, “WHO assigned 481 international nonproprietary names for medicines and 185 countries accessed the WHO database of medical devices nomenclature. An emergency polio campaign in the Gaza Strip vaccinated more than half a million children. WHO trained over 15,000 health providers and policymakers across more than 160 Member States on addressing the health needs of refugees and migrants.”
The report revealed that one billion more people benefit from universal health coverage, while an estimated 431 million more people, close to half of the goal, are estimated to be covered with essential health services without catastrophic health spending.
The report noted that this progress is largely driven by improvements in the healthcare workforce, increased access to contraception and expanded HIV antiretroviral therapy.
However, people continue to face financial hardships and challenges in immunisation programmes.
In addition, one billion more people are better protected from health emergencies, with an estimated 637 million more people better protected through stronger preparedness, surveillance, workforce capacity, and equitable access to tools and services, supported by reforms such as the amendments to the International Health Regulations.
The new report said that one billion more people are enjoying better health and well-being, while 1.4 billion more people are living with better health and well-being, surpassing the initial goal. This is due to reduced tobacco use, improved air quality, clean household fuels, and access to water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH). Key challenges lie in addressing increased obesity and alcohol consumption.
It however, highlighted that reaching the goals faces growing challenges as pause in foreign aid and reduction of health budgets further strain already fragile health systems, especially in communities with the greatest health needs. Financial constraints threaten pandemic response efforts. Reduced funding will also undermine hard-won progress.
Commenting on the report, WHO Director General, Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, said that the report showed how, with WHO’s support, many countries are making progress on a huge range of health indicators, helping their populations to live healthier lives, giving them greater access to essential health services, and keeping them safer against health emergencies.
He said, “In a world of multiple overlapping challenges and constrained resources for global health, these results demonstrate why the world needs a strong and sustainably-financed WHO, delivering the high-quality, trusted support on which countries and their people rely.”
WHO noted that the collaboration with UNICEF and other UN agencies has resulted in multiyear funding programmes in 15 high-burden countries, reaching 9.3 million children and saving an estimated one million lives.
Also, increasing efficiency, the global digital health certification network supported by the WHO has now enabled about two billion people to carry digital health records.
WHO recognises the sustained commitment of Member States and will work with new and existing donors and partners to secure additional funding. Securing predictable, sustainable and resilient financing is the key objective of the Investment Round, which has mobilised over $1.7 billion in pledges from 71 contributors, covering 53 per cent of WHO’s voluntary funding needs.
