World Health Assembly is the decision-making body of the World Health Organisation (WHO). Delegations from all WHO Member States attend, and the meeting focuses on a specific health agenda set by the Executive Board. The World Health Assembly's key responsibilities include determining the Organization's policies, appointing the Director-General, supervising financial policies, and reviewing and approving the proposed programme budget. The World Health Assembly takes place every year in Geneva, Switzerland. The World Health Assembly is the platform through which the World Health Organization is represented by its 194 member states. In this article, aspirants will get facts on the World Health Assembly and other pertinent realities to plan for the impending UPSC Exam.

World Health Assembly: An Overview

• The World Health Assembly is the most elevated wellbeing strategy setting body and is made out of health priests from member states.
• The World Health Assembly is led by delegates from all WHO Member States and spotlights a particular wellbeing plan ready by the Executive Board.
• The World Health Assembly is held every year in Geneva, Switzerland and the individuals from the WHA by and large meet consistently in May.
• At the end of the day, the World Health Assembly is the Parliament of WHO.

World Health Assembly: Functions

The primary functions of the WHA are -

• To decide the approaches of the Organization,
• Designate the Director-General,
• Administer monetary strategies, and
• Survey and support the proposed program spending plan.

74th World Health Assembly

• The 74th session of the World Health Assembly was organized between May 24th to June 1st 2021.
• In the light of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, the assembly was held virtually.
• The Theme of 74th World Health Assembly - WHA was finishing this pandemic, forestalling the following, constructing together a better, more secure and more pleasant world'.
• As the Chairman of WHO Executive Board, Dr Harsha Vardhan, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India addressed the World Health Assembly.
  • India was chosen for the World Health Organization Executive Board in May 2020 to hold the Chairmanship of the Executive Board for one year.
  • He summed up the 147th and 148th meetings of the Executive Board and its Special Session on COVID-19 reaction that was hung on October fifth and sixth 2020.
  • He referenced the accompanying focuses from the previously mentioned meetings -
    • Universal Health Coverage,
    • endeavours to guarantee fair and even-handed admittance to COVID-19 immunizations through the COVAX Facility,
    • tending to diabetes as a general medical issue,
    • worldwide activity plan for counteraction and control of non-transferable infections,
    • to draft a worldwide technique to handle oral sicknesses,
    • COVID-19 effect on worldwide wellbeing,
    • the general wellbeing ramifications of execution of the Nagoya Protocol and so on.

• A couple of suggestions by the Board to 74th World Health Assembly -
  • To consider a report on emotional well-being readiness and reaction for the Covid-19 pandemic.
  • To attempt a wide consultative interaction to foster worldwide wellbeing area procedures on HIV, viral hepatitis and physically sent contaminations, for the period 2022 to 2030.
  • On broad wellbeing and prosperity, the reception of a goal on reinforcing endeavours to address the social, monetary and natural determinants of wellbeing.
  • The Health Assembly ought to embrace the worldwide patient security activity plan for the period 2021 to 2030.
• The 74th World Health Assembly chose Decheng Wangmo, Bhutan's Minister of Health as the President of the World Health Assembly.
• Aside from this, 5 Vice presidents were likewise chosen that included Benin, Guatemala, Qatar, Mongolia and Estonia.

Conclusion

The nations should quit politicizing the infection and increase their capacities to battle the pandemic without overpowering the medical services foundation. Worldwide participation on the issue as opposed to giving fault on one another. It forecasts well for countries assuming that WHA was fortified with satisfactory accounts. Any pandemic has a point of start and point of end, it is important to understand the source so as to study the virus and develop vaccines accordingly.

FAQs

MCQs

1. What is the main purpose of the World Health Assembly?

A) To provide health funding to countries
B) To set global health policies and approve WHO's budget
C) To manage disease outbreaks
D) To establish health treaties

2. How often does the World Health Assembly meet?

A) Once every two years
B) Once a year
C) Every six months
D) Twice a year

3. Which of the following is not a function of the World Health Assembly?

A) Adopting health-related resolutions
B) Approving the WHO budget
C) Setting priorities for WHO programs
D) Coordinating international health funding

4. How does the World Health Assembly influence the WHO’s operations?

A) By managing the day-to-day operations of the WHO
B) By setting policies and approving the budget
C) By implementing health projects globally
D) By conducting health research

5. Which body within the WHO is responsible for setting the overall policies for global health?

A) The WHO Executive Board
B) The WHO Secretariat
C) The World Health Assembly
D) The WHO Regional Offices

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: Analyze the role of the World Health Assembly in shaping global health policy and promoting international cooperation in healthcare.

Answer: The World Health Assembly plays a pivotal role in shaping global health policy by bringing together member states to discuss pressing health issues, adopt resolutions, and set priorities for the World Health Organization. It facilitates international cooperation by ensuring that countries collaborate on global health challenges such as pandemics, disease eradication, and health systems strengthening. The WHA’s decisions are instrumental in directing WHO’s programs and ensuring that health policies address the most urgent global health concerns. Through its annual meetings, the WHA promotes dialogue and cooperation among nations, creating a platform for sharing knowledge and resources for global health advancement.

Q2: Discuss the significance of the World Health Assembly’s annual meetings in the context of global health governance.

Answer: The World Health Assembly’s annual meetings are of immense significance in global health governance as they provide a forum for member states to address health issues that affect the world. These meetings allow governments to collaborate, share best practices, and coordinate responses to global health challenges. The decisions taken at the WHA meetings, such as setting priorities and approving budgets for WHO programs, influence global health governance by shaping the agenda for international health policy and ensuring equitable access to healthcare. The WHA’s role in promoting international collaboration and setting clear health priorities underlines its importance in the governance of global health.

Q3: How does the World Health Assembly ensure that the WHO addresses global health priorities effectively?

Answer: The World Health Assembly ensures that the WHO addresses global health priorities effectively by establishing health policy frameworks, approving the annual budget, and setting clear priorities for WHO’s programs. Through resolutions passed at the WHA meetings, member states direct WHO’s efforts toward addressing critical health issues, such as the control of infectious diseases, improving health systems, and addressing health inequalities. By reviewing the progress of WHO’s work and making necessary adjustments, the WHA ensures that the organization remains responsive to emerging health challenges and is adequately resourced to meet global health demands.

Previous Year Questions on World Health Assembly

1. UPSC CSE Mains 2020 (GS Paper 2):

Question: "Examine the role of international organizations in promoting global health governance, with specific reference to the World Health Assembly."

Answer: International organizations, particularly the World Health Assembly (WHA), play a critical role in global health governance by providing a platform for member states to discuss and address pressing health issues. The WHA facilitates international cooperation by setting global health priorities, approving WHO’s budget, and adopting health-related resolutions. Its role in coordinating efforts to combat pandemics, manage health systems, and address inequalities in health access highlights its significance in global health governance.

2. UPSC CSE Mains 2019 (GS Paper 2):

Question: "Assess the role of the WHO and the World Health Assembly in the global response to health emergencies, such as the COVID-19 pandemic."

Answer: The WHO and the World Health Assembly have played pivotal roles in responding to health emergencies, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, by providing technical guidance, coordinating international efforts, and mobilizing resources. The WHA set the global agenda for addressing health crises by directing WHO’s resources toward managing the pandemic. The WHO, through its leadership, provided crucial information, set health guidelines, and facilitated vaccine distribution, ensuring a global response to the pandemic. The WHA’s role in policy-making and resource allocation remains vital in managing global health emergencies.