WHO unveils sweeping reforms in drive towards «triple billion» targets
The changes are designed to support countries in achieving the ambitious "triple billion" targets that are at the heart of WHO's strategic plan for the next five years: one billion more people benefitting from universal health coverage (UHC); one billion more people better protected from health emergencies; and one billion more people enjoying better health and well-being, the WHO's official website reads.
These changes include:
Aligning WHO's processes and structures with the "triple billion" targets and the Sustainable Development Goals by adopting a new structure and operating model to align the work of headquarters, regional offices and country offices, and eliminate duplication and fragmentation.
Reinforcing WHO's normative, standard-setting work, supported by a new Division of the Chief Scientist and improved career opportunities for scientists.
Harnessing the power of digital health and innovation by supporting countries to assess, integrate, regulate and maximize the opportunities of digital technologies and artificial intelligence, supported by a new Department of Digital Health.
Making WHO relevant in all countries by overhauling the Organization's capabilities to engage in strategic policy dialogue. This work will be supported by a new Division of Data, Analytics and Delivery to significantly enhance the collection, storage, analysis and usage of data to drive policy change in countries. This division will also track and strengthen the delivery of WHO's work by monitoring progress towards the "triple billion targets" and identifying roadblocks and solutions.
Investing in a dynamic and diverse workforce through new initiatives including the WHO Academy, a proposed state-of-the-art school to provide new learning opportunities for staff and public health professionals globally. Other measures include a streamlined recruitment process to cut hiring time in half, management trainings, new opportunities for national professional officers, and previously-announced improvements in conditions for interns.
Strengthening WHO's work to support countries in preventing and mitigating the impact of outbreaks and other health crises by creating a new Division of Emergency Preparedness, as a complement to WHO's existing work on emergency response.
Reinforcing a corporate approach to resource mobilization aligned with strategic objectives and driving new fundraising initiatives to diversify WHO's funding base, reduce its reliance on a small number of large donors and strengthen its long-term financial stability.
"The changes we are announcing today are about so much more than new structures, they're about changing the DNA of the organization to deliver a measurable impact in the lives of the people we serve," said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. "Our vision remains the same as it was when we were founded in 1948: the highest attainable standard of health for all people. But the world has changed, which is why we have articulated a new mission statement for what the world needs us to do now: to promote health, keep the world safe and serve the vulnerable."
The new measures were developed following an extensive period of consultation with staff, and were developed jointly by WHO's Global Policy Group, which consists of the Director-General and each of the organization's six regional directors: Dr Matshidiso Moeti (Regional Director for Africa), Dr Carissa Etienne (Regional Director for the Americas), Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh (Regional Director for South-East Asia), Dr Zsuzsanna Jakab (Regional Director for Europe), Dr Ahmed Al-Mandhari (Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean) and Dr Takeshi Kasai (Regional Director for the Western Pacific).
WHO's new corporate structure is based on four pillars which will be mirrored throughout the organization.
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